A former local newspaper reporter is to recall the rise of the supermarket phenomenon in a BBC2 programme tonight.

Food Junkies is a documentary tracing their introduction in the 1970s.

Cambridge Evening News municipal correspondent for more than 40 years, Peter Hoskison, will discuss the political controversy and events leading up to the construction and opening of Sainsbury's in the town's Sidney Street in 1972.

Peter said: "We were one of the first cities in the country to have supermarkets and there was a great deal of controversy at the time. I remember going to London to interview ministers about it."

Local opposition to the store proved ineffective when the Government intervened - but the store proved popular when it opened, attracting 30,000 customers in its first week.

The programme is on BBC2 at 9pm tonight.

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