A NEWSAGENT has slammed a council policy which bans advertising boards on the footpath - but turns a blind eye to washing machines, fruit, flowers and rabbit hutches.

Rishton newsagent Les Smalley was one of many traders in Hyndburn who received letters explaining that A-frames were illegal and must be taken in.

They were sent as part of a clampdown in the borough following a new Code of Practice regulating items placed in the highway from the county council.

The letter says that if a board remains on the footpath it will be confiscated, and he would have to pay £50 to have it returned.

But after speaking to other traders in the street Mr Smalley said he was told that though A-frames were forbidden, the council allowed items for sale to be placed outside shops, as long as there was six feet of pavement space.

He said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that goods like washing machines and rabbit hutches are allowed on the footpath but A-frames aren't.

"My shop looks like it's shut when I have no board outside, and I'm losing trade.

"I could put some newspapers in my A-frame and then they would be classed as goods.

"It seems as long as you have 6ft of pavement you can put out whatever you like as long as its not an A-frame.

"It doesn't seem fair."

Head of consultancy at Hyndburn oper- ational services, Mr David Allonby, said: "A-frames and goods placed outside are all covered by the county council Code of Practice relating to obstructions placed in the highway.

"A-frames are forbidden but county said that district councils should be given greater flexibility with goods. Footpaths should be kept completely clear but if there's a minimum width of 6ft then that is acceptable."

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