A TRADER at Morecambe's Festival Market has had his licence terminated after advertising steel toe-capped boots using the slogan "Ex British National Party jackboot as worn in Burnley, Oldham and Bradford."

The trader, who has not been named by the city council, is said to be a regular at the popular market selling shoes and boots.

Other hand-written signs used to promote the steel toe-capped footwear include "As worn by the British National Party at Burnley, Oldham and Blackburn," and "Ex British National Party Going Out for a Pint Boots."

Moccasin shoes are also advertised as "ex Nigerian tea pickers shoes."

The city council acted following complaints from shoppers at the market and their decision to revoke the traders licence was taken immediately.

The council has also informed the police.

A council spokesman said: "As a consequence of the trader's actions and the seriously offensive nature of the materials displayed Lancaster City Council has terminated the trader's licence with immediate effect."

Commenting, the city council's chief executive, Mark Cullinan, said: "Lancaster City Council is committed to the equal treatment of people who use its services and, as such, to eliminating unlawful racial discrimination in our services.

"In the event of such activity we will employ the measures necessary to redress such discrimination."