ANGRY protesters are demanding a referendum on plans for a £20m scheme that will transform their town centre.

Ringwood Redevelopment Action Group, which is opposing the scheme, this week handed in a 1,600 signature petition to New Forest District Council asking for people to have a vote.

Their secretary John Fry also pointed out that they are asking for all the town's interested parties to have a chance to sit round a table and discuss the project which includes shops, a cinema, a hall and landscaping work around Ringwood's historic Meeting House.

Its designers say they are confident it will provide a much-needed boost for the town's economy by attracting more shoppers.

But Mr Fry expressed his disappointment that efforts to arrange a meeting between the various groups had so far been unsuccessful.

He told councillors: "We are bringing this petition to your attention now because it is common knowledge that there are likely to be more plans submitted regarding the Furlong Shopping Centre and we would like you to appreciate the controversy that has already arisen.

"We as a group are not against redevelopment, but we would like progress to enhance our market town, not destroy it."