HOME delivery services have been largely restored by a supermarket worried about attacks on its vehicles in a Basingstoke suburb.

Tesco provoked uproar in the Popley area when it decided to stop sending drivers to certain streets.

Following a campaign by local residents, councillors and Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, the supermarket has now partially reinstated the service.

Deliveries will be made to the RG24 9DJ postcode area, which includes Dryden Close, between 9am and 7pm, although in other areas the service runs until 11pm.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Home deliveries were reinstated on July 2. The decision we have made is that the deliveries will run until 7pm.

“We always said we were looking to get them reinstated as soon as possible and we would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience.”

The supermarket cut the service at the end of May after claiming its vehicles had been attacked and on one occasion a windscreen was smashed. However, the police received no reports of attacks on Tesco vans.

Mrs Miller said: “I’ve written to the chief executive of Tesco to find out why the service had been withdrawn and have yet to see any response or evidence as to why residents in Popley should have a different level of service to people in other parts of the country.”

Borough and county Councillor Jane Frankum said: “I’m still very angry. The police are absolutely unaware of any crimes on Tesco delivery drivers. Tesco are giving Popley a reputation it doesn’t deserve. It’s a good, safe place to live. I want nothing short of a public apology and a donation to a Popley charity.

“What about nurses who work shifts and won’t be around for deliveries during the day? I think they should rename Tesco as Fiasco.”