BURGER sellers could be forced off the roads of South Ribble if plans drawn up by the borough's mayor get the go-ahead.

Coun Jim Owen wants all hot food vans to carry an official licence plate - similar to the scheme for taxis.

His suggestion was put forward just a week after the environmental health and control committee discussed the street regulations which dictate that mobile takeaways can't open after midnight, a rule several councillors claims some vans are blatantly flouting.

Councillors recently refused plans for two new hot food outlets on the grounds that Leyland was rapidly becoming a take-out town.

Now they want to know why the mobile vans can open later than static takeaways which have to shut by 11pm - something legal chiefs at the council claim is 'an anomaly'. And Coun Owen, who is mayor until May, wants the licensing rules to be tightened to ensure cowboy van owners know that South Ribble is a no-go area.

He said: "I have spoken to several licensed mobile van owners who say these rogues come along, set up nearby and take away their trade.

"By the time the regulation is enforced, the traders who are licensed to operate in the area are suffering badly and have lost trade.

"I think we need to make all licensed takeaway vans carry a plate saying they are licensed, like the taxis have to.

"That way, we immediately know they supposed to be there and the public can be reassured that the people serving the food are responsible and conforming to regulations."

Coun Debbie Webster, chairman of the committee, said: "Coun Owen's comments have been noted and will be considered.

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