SUPERMARKET chain Tesco is out of the running to redevelop Abergavenny's cattle market site.

The chain was widely thought to be the mystery developer chosen by Monmouthshire county council as it holds an option on auctioneering rights at the site.

But it did not even make the shortlist.

The council has received a statement from Tesco, which already has a high street 'Metro' store in the town, stating its disappointment at being overlooked. Meinir Phillips, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: "We understand there have been rumours regarding the involvement of Tesco but we wish to make it clear we are no longer involved in the process.

"We are very disappointed by the whole affair and would like to know what criteria the local authority was employing in order to decide on the tender bids.

"We expressed an interest in developing a concept food store on the cattle market site and submitted a proposal at the initial bid stage.

"We believe our proposal would have complemented the town centre but we were not even asked to be on the final short list despite being, as far as we know, the only major food retailer to attend any meetings with Monmouthshire council.

"We understand the council has signed up with a third party developer who will now have to provide an operator for their food store within their scheme."

The council had 23 potential investors express an interest in the site but whittled them down to a shortlist of six before making a final decision last month.

The successful tender, which the council refuses to name until legal agreements have been signed, has been subject to controversy following a challenge to the decision by three councillors using special 'calling in' powers.

The winning developer will now be discussed by full council when it meets on next Thursday.