VILLAGERS have sent a 600 signature petition to the district council after a village bakery's planning application was turned down by Wycombe District Council.

The Village Bakery, in Oxford Road, Stokenchurch, makes fresh sandwiches, cakes and pies which are sold to factory workers nearby and residents.

Pat Messenger, a resident in the village, said: "We've all signed the petition here in the village.

"It's something that is desperately needed in the village.

"If I want something for tea you can just pop in there and get it.

"The owner is a lovely lady and has made a go of that business - I'm disappointed in the district council."

Bakery owner Yun Jin Lau said: "We sent a petition with six hundred names on it to the district council and our application has been turned down.

"There has not been one letter of objection so I find the council's decision very difficult to understand"

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council said the application, which was to enable the bakery to serve hot meals, was refused because it would detrimentally affect the character of the village, and that the proposed flue would have a detrimental effect on neighbouring properties.

Mrs Lau has appealed against the decision and has submitted a statement to the planning inspectorate.

The site will be visited by planning inspectors before a final decision is made.