A PRESTON shop worker is fuming with council chiefs after being told to remove an advertising board from outside her shop.

It comes after the authority sent letters to 120 businesses across the city requesting the removal of free-standing 'A-boards' which, they say, block pavements and cause an obstruction.

They claim the advertising boards are a danger to public safety and can cause difficulties to people with disabilities.

Now, boards seen on the pavements will be removed and shop owner's will have to fork out £50 to get them back.

But the move has angered bosses at the newly opened City Deli, in Winckley Street, off Fishergate, who say they need all the publicity they can get.

"Many shops in Preston are tucked down side streets and we need to advertise to let people know we are here," said assistant manager Jackie Whaley.

"We have been open for six months now, but people presume we close in the evenings. We don't, we're a cafe bar and often put the signs out at night.

"They were put in between two lamp posts and didn't really pose a problem.

"Of course we appreciate the needs of people with disabilities, but the traffic and lamp posts down here pose a threat."

Miss Whaley says as Winckley Street is not pedestrianised, cars also pose a threat to people's safety.

But the move has been backed by Melanie Close, manager of Preston's Disability Information Service Centre (DISC).

"They make it really difficult for people with disabilities to get around in Preston," she said. "Especially if they're wheelchair users or have a similar impairment.

"There are other safer ways to advertise like using the shop window."

Councillor Andy Campbell, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: "We're not just removing advertising boards for the sake of it and we still want businesses to do well, but the boards are causing people to trip over in busy parts of the city and making the streets look a mess."