BISHOP'S Waltham shoppers will have to wait until April to hear whether a long-touted superstore will go ahead as doubts grow over its future.

Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe has told parish councillors he “hopes” a review of its controversial Abbey Mill supermarket will be finished in the next three months.

The grocer has frustrated residents, businesses and councillors by refusing to show its hand despite announcing a cull of planned branches in October.

In a letter to Bishop's Waltham Parish Council, Mr Coupe said: "The food retail market is extremely competitive and has changed considerably since our proposals for the Abbey Mill site were first announced in 2009.

"We are currently in the process of reviewing all our new store opportunities. We hope to complete this process within the next three months."

Last week’s council meeting heard that planned improvements to St George's Square cannot go ahead if the store is pulled.