Confusion is mounting over suggestions that supermarket giant Tesco is planning to open a store in Looe.

Despite Tesco confirming it has 'no direct plans' to submit any planning applications for sites in the town, the Cornwall Council councillor for the area has said there is a 'serious proposal by Tesco'.

The newly-elected councillor for Looe East, Armand Toms, said: 'This is obviously a serious proposal by Tesco to bring a supermarket to the town and the proposed location is opposite the community school.'

A Tesco spokeswoman said: 'We are approached by landowners and agents every day, where we might or might not be interested.

'We are interested in bringing a store to Looe but we would be interested in bringing a store to anywhere that doesn't have one.

'We have been approached about several sites in Cornwall and until a deal is made nothing can be confirmed. If a suitable site in Looe became available we would be interested but we have made no deals.' 

Looe Town Council is 'unaware' of any proposals for a Tesco store.

Mayor Michael Joy said: 'The town council is unable to make any comment at present concerning reports in the press about Tesco's plan for Looe. We have not been consulted or given any details about the proposal.

'When we do have the required information, we will ensure that the entire town is consulted before any decisions are made by the town council as to what is the best way forward for Looe.'

If a planning application is submitted and approved, it could mean Looe getting its first big supermarket.

Mr Toms said: 'There would be issues of traffic around school times that need to be addressed. The site is in the coastal strip, also an area of great landscape value, and outside the local planning line. 

'The businesses and people of the town need to be consulted with and the process should follow that carried out recently for Callington for a similar project.'