THOUSANDS of people are backing a campaign to call a halt to the council crackdown on street signs in Blackburn and Darwen.

Traders estimate more than 10,000 people in the borough have signed a petition calling on the town hall to halt its blitz on A boards.

The petition has been organised by businessman Michael Crane and will be handed to the town hall at the end of the month. Mr Crane has been busy sending leaflets and petition sheets to scores of shops.

Mr Crane who runs a second-hand furniture store in Audley Range has collected 600 signatures on his own.

And he says hundreds of sheets filled with names are being sent to him from shops and stores across the borough.

Mr Crane said: "We have been getting hundreds of signatures from shops in Darwen, Mill Hill and Whalley New Road.

"Everyone thinks the council is being heavy-handed and should deal with the situation on a case by case basis instead of sticking to the letter of the law.

"I have run this business for 30 years and have never come across anything as ridiculous as this."

He added: "Even the Government is saying that councils in Lancashire are being heavy-handed.

"It is about time the council listened to the government, borough traders and people who elected them in the first place."

Anyone wanting to support the petition should call Michael Crane on 01254 264380.

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