TESCO says it would sell electrical goods in Heanor if it was given permission to build an extension to its town store, despite fears this could lead to shops closing.

A spokesman for the supermarket giant said at a public exhibition yesterday that "an element of white goods" would be sold at the store in High Street.

Some people at the event said they believed the extension could help regenerate the town but Tesco's representatives heard how people were worried the extension could mean the closure of smaller stores.

Paul Jones, Amber Valley Borough councillor for Heanor West, attended the exhibition and said Tesco could help regenerate the town as part of any planning agreement.

But he wanted reassurances that Tesco would work to stop other stores, especially those selling electrical goods, from going out of business.

He said: "I wouldn't want the extension to be used to sell large numbers of white goods. Stores like Wood Bros in Ray Street and Logic in Godfrey Street sell this kind of stock and have been in the town for many years."

Trevor Elliott, 76, of Hallington Drive, Heanor, shared Mr Jones' concerns but added that Tesco had been a positive addition to the town.

He said: "The extension could kill other stores off. There's got to be balance."

Beryl Moore, 79, of Stamford Street, Heanor, added that the removal of the petrol station on the site would make it difficult for local people to get fuel.

She said: "They would be taking away a facility that everyone uses. People will have to go to the filling station in Derby Road or all the way to Loscoe."

The store is about 23,500 sq ft and if planning permission is granted will be extended by about 10,900 sq ft.

A Tesco spokesman said plans were affected by Asda getting the go-ahead to build a superstore in Langley Mill.

He said the firm would work to ensure Heanor had a "thriving town centre" by advertising other shops in-store, improving pedestrian links between the store and the centre and improving the centre's appearance.

But he said the store would sell an "element of white goods", adding that it did not "really sell electronics on any scale at the moment".

Borough council leader Stuart Bradford said the authority was encouraged by Tesco's interest in extending the store.

He said: "We will look at the planning application very carefully to see whether it would increase the range and quality of shopping facilities in Heanor, and how the proposals might link in to the wider regeneration of the town centre."