A COUNCIL clampdown on street displays has been revealed as one of the toughest in the North West.

Blackburn with Darwen councillors have angered traders again by tightening the rules on A-boards and other pavement displays, as well as taking away officers' discretion in implementing the guidelines.

Traders have now called for council bosses to clear up once and for all what they are permitted to do to advertise their businesses.

But it has been revealed that few other councils in the region have yet started to prosecute offenders as Blackburn with Darwen Council has.

Blackpool Council was awarded unitary status, independent of Lancashire County Council, along with Blackburn and Darwen in April.

A spokesman said: "We have regular blitzes on A-boards.

"We target the whole of the borough and make it an even playing field for all traders.

"With it being Blackpool there can be lots of weird and wonderful displays outside shops but as yet there have been no prosecutions here."

Bolton Council said they had received a number of complaints from disabled people and families with small children who said A-boards were causing them major problems.

But Bolton Town Hall bosses have taken a more conciliatory approach than Blackburn by appealing for co-operation from shops and business rather than implementing a "no compromise" total ban under the 1980 Highways Act. Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council allows A-boards outside shop premises provided they are very close to the shop and not in the middle of the pavement acting as a major obstruction to pedestrians.

A spokesman said: "There have never been any prosecutions."

Blackburn Chamber of Trade spokesman Rita Wakeley said: "A speedy, amicable and peaceful solution must be resolved in order to prevent further closures of retailers.

"The Council, the Chamber of Trade and traders must work together to find a solution that will retain an aura of life in Blackburn for the shoppers we wish to attract."

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