SUPERSTORE giant Tesco has apologised for the disruption caused by Thursday's tunnel collapse but it has done little to silence hundreds of protestors against the controversial development.

The section of railway tunnel which collapsed in Gerrards Cross forms a stretch which will house a new store car park on top of it.

The development is only in the early stages of construction.

A Tesco spokesman said: "There is disruption and we are apologetic for that but at the moment it is about finding out what happened. It is too early to say how things will be affected."

She added: "Thankfully nobody was hurt and whilst the experts on the ground are rightly running the incident we are helping in any way we can."

But as residents gathered around Station Road carpark and Marsham Lane, overlooking the track, many voiced their disappproval of a development that should "never have gone ahead".

"We never wanted it in Gerrards Cross," said Ian Monk.

"It the plan was steam rollered through.

"It is a miracle nobody has been killed.

"I think this will kill it."

Residents poured into the car park until midnight to get a glimpse of the scene, some shouted: "Tesco should have gone down with it".

Many claimed the incident could now compromise the Tesco project altogether.

This was played down by Jackson Civil Engineering, who are building on behalf of Tesco.

"It will divert our attention for sometime, " said chief executive, Richard Neall.

"The main priority is to ensure health and safety at this point to take stock and move forward."