Around 50 protesters, many dressed in multi-coloured outfits gathered at Bath Place before making their way up the Parade to the town hall.

Members of the town's 'Rising Tide' environmental group hit the pavements to highlight the extra pollution from fossil fuels they feel the multi-storey Clarendon Arcade will cause.

The march was just one of many national Rising Tide events on 'Fossil Fools day', where its members protest about the effect solid fuels have on the planet.

Richard Smith, 34, who helped to organise the march, said: "People need to be made aware of the connection between shopping, fossil fuels, and consumerism. There is not much understanding of this.

"It just seems to be about spend, spend, spend.

"And this project is not going to be great for the little local shops, the community or the town."

Another organiser, Alison Smith, 30, added: "Leamington is supposed to be a transitional town.

"That means we are supposed to be finding ways of living without fossil fuels. The developers are saying this project is going to create jobs, but jobs in Leamington are no good if pollution means we are not here to do them."

The protesters were joined by many residents who are worried about the effect the new 175,000 sqft centre - planned for the Chandos St car park area - would have on the appearance of the area.

Gitta Ashworth, 65, of Willes Road said: "The architecture is not right for this town. It will look absolutely monstrous and is something we do not need."

The project is still in the planning stage. If it goes ahead it will include a department store, 35 shops, and nine flats.