2 March 2012 Last updated at 08:55 ET

Asda U-turn over plan to pump sewage into Ferring stream

Asda has dropped a plan to pump sewage into a stream used by children and animals in West Sussex.

There was fierce opposition from residents, who presented a petition signed by 1,300 people to the Environment Agency.

Asda planned to pump treated sewage, from its new site on the former Country Fayre Garden Centre, in Ferring, into a stream known as the "rife".

The supermarket said it had applied to connect to the mains sewer instead.

Chris Martin, Asda's senior property communications manager, said: "Whilst we remain confident that the on-site sewerage solution is a suitable way to address the challenge of our site being off the main sewerage network, it was clear to us that this was not the preference of residents.

"We said we would listen to feedback and we have done just that.

"Further technical studies have been undertaken and we have now submitted applications to Southern Water and Arun District Council in the hope of making a connection to the pubic sewerage network a viable option."

Asda originally said the treated sewage would meet EU and Environmental Agency standards.

However campaigners warned it would pollute the stream, which runs on to Ferring beach.