THE controversy rumbles on about bill-boards or goods on the pavement outside shops.

They are classed as dangerous obstacles liable to cause accidents and a hefty fine can be imposed for disobeying.

Not able to advertise, small, struggling shopkeepers lose more money. Empty small shops fill our town centres already. They are fighting a losing battle to survive. They should be helped, not penalised. Surely a compromise of a couple of feet from their building for external displays would be in order.

Many pavements were made wider as shops were allowed frontage for displays.

It seems ludicrous that while these old rules are being rigorously enforced, increasing numbers of cars are parked half way, or fully on pavements - day and night and nothing is done.

KATHLEEN BULCOCK, Wilkie Avenue, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.