AN £8 million scheme to revitalise Amersham-on-the-Hill has been backed by hundreds of residents who turned out at a public meeting.

The project, which would bring in a Marks & Spencer food store as part of a 37,000 sq ft shopping centre, was given the seal of approval by around 80 per cent of the 250 residents and traders who packed the Saracen's Head in Old Amersham on Tuesday.

Margaret Taylor, 69, from Copperkins Road, Amersham said at the meeting it was time to make shops a priority in the town.

She said: "I have been living in Amersham for 25 years and I have been shocked at how it's gone down hill in those years. At one time it was an excellent shopping centre and now it's pathetic."

Mrs Taylor added: "I would be delighted if they improved the shopping facilities in Amersham and would like the ability to shop locally and not have to go into London. I want to spend my money here. It is a shame for old people and for mothers with children to have to go further afield."

Under the scheme, proposed at a meeting with bosses from Chiltern district and Buckinghamshire county councils last month, St Michael and All Angels Church would sell its current freehold site in Sycamore Road to developers Peel Holdings to make way for the new retail development.

In return St Michael and All Angels would get a new 300-seat building on Chiltern District Council-owned land on the corner of Chiltern Avenue and King George V Road.

Questions were answered by Roger Wheeldon the development surveyor for Peel Holdings, Nigel Cornish, a surveyor and Carolyn Spencer, the chairman of Amersham and District Residents Association.

The Peel Holdings scheme is battling it out with a rival bid by Kings Church which wants to build a new community centre and library in Chiltern Avenue.

Eric Springate, chairman of the Amersham Action Group, which is supporting the Peel bid, said: "It (the future of the development) is all conditional on St Michael's Church. We have an action group meeting on Wednesday next week and someone from the planning department from Chiltern District Council will be there, and someone from Peel Holdings and St Michaels."

Nick Evans, spokesman from the rival scheme, said: "The joint council committee had made it clear they supported the Peel bid and expected it to be ratified at full council later this month."