TORRINGTON'S Green Group have carried out a survey comparing the town's independent shops to a supermarket chain.

Supermarkets have proved a controversial issue in the town, which is currently having its first large food store being built.

The Green Group bought 22 common food items, including fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy and dry groceries at the town's local shop and repeated the shop at a Bideford supermarket.

The group has concluded that prices were similar in the town, with the supermarket bill coming in at £28.97 compared with £31.13.

However, they believe with travel costs to nearby Bideford, shopping proved 24p cheaper in Torrington.

The group also concluded that the quality of produce was better in Torrington and packaging was more environmentally friendly than the supermarkets.

They also believed that going into five shops in Torrington worked out quicker than going to Bideford — with the 20 minute car journey.

Cathrine Simmons from the group, said: "Shopping in Torrington keeps the money local.

"Nearly all the shopkeepers in Torrington's shops come from the local community of Torrington so our money is supporting our friends and neighbours.

"If we don't use our town centre shops we will lose them and it was especially useful to have local shops during the snow and the public needs to remember this for the future."