A CAMPAIGN for a budget clothes chain to set up shop in Colchester is gathering pace online.

More than 1,000 shoppers have signed up to groups on social networking site, Facebook, calling for a Primark store in the town.

One group, “We want Primark in Colchester” has 284 members, while 902 people have joined “Give Colchester a Primark!” since December 2007. Another group, “Colchester needs a Primark!” has 43 supporters.

More than 80 people on a separate site are now demanding Primark replaces the former Woolworths store in Culver Square.

Vicky Litton, an online Primark supporter, said: “It is a shopping dream for all of us on a budget in these difficult financial times.”

The nearest Primark to Colchester is about 17 miles away in Westgate Street, Ipswich.

A spokesman for Primark said there were no plans for a store in Colchester.

Meanwhile, four groups on social networking site Facebook have been set up to discuss the issue of what should occupy the former Clacton Woolworths branch, which closed its doors on December 27.

The most popular Clacton group is “Let’s turn Wooloworths into a nightclub”, which has more than 500 members.

District councillor Stephen Mayzes has established a group in a bid to prompt discussion and ideas.

“Join here to get Primark in Woolworths’ place” has 90 members and “We need more cheap shops in Clacton – really” has 70 members.