A FURIOUS florist is calling for the scrapping of a "crazy" council ruling to prevent further job losses in East Lancashire.

Aileen Molloy, of Coulton's Florists, says she has already been forced to let one of her staff go as a direct result of the controversial decision to ban displays of goods on pavements outside businesses.

The owner of the shop at Redlam, Blackburn, has added her voice to the growing number of traders who are lobbying Blackburn with Darwen Council on the issue.

She said: "I've had to let one of my florists go because of the devastated effect removing my shop front display has had on business and I am not the only one.

"Both passing trade and impulse buying have virtually gone.

"There has been some sort of display outside of this shop on the double pavement for more than 40 years without one single complaint or accident during that time." Mrs Molloy has collected more than 300 signatures from customers who say they have been sad to lose the colourful display of seasonal plants and flowers.

She has sent the petition to Blackburn with Darwen Council which is enforcing the crackdown on instruction from Lancashire County Council.

"Its a crazy situation but the council seems adamant not to budge on the issue no matter what - even though there is a double pavement," added Mrs Molloy, who has sent letters to council officers and East Lancashire MPs Janet Anderson and Jack Straw.

"Like many other traders, I am very frustrated especially as Christmas is just around the corner and I can't show off my stock."

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