A PARTNER in a beds business has claimed that traders are being discriminated against in the controversial A-boards row.

Keith Perry, from The Bed Centre, Darwen Street, Blackburn, claimed he only received a threatening letter from Blackburn with Darwen Council because of a complaint about a sign outside his premises.

And he claimed council officials walked past a series of offending A-boards to reach his shop, without taking any action.

Mr Perry said: "Anybody who puts up A-boards is breaking the law, regardless of whether anyone complains.

"Some people have a gripe with me and complained and I'm the one being prosecuted.

"There are others on the same street also breaking the law but they are left alone by the council.

"It is one rule for us and one for the others." He added: "A council official walked past a number of A-boards just to reach our shop."

The ban on A-boards outside shops and business premises has caused outrage across the county since it was imposed last year.

Traders face fines and confiscation if they fail to abide by the regulations.

Shop staff were visited by an official from the council and handed a letter asking them to remove their A board from the highway within 14 days or risk prosecution and a fine of £2,500.

Mr Perry blasted: "I know we were breaking the law but the sign took up only nine inches of an 11 foot pavement. How can that be an obstruction? It is ridiculous."

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "We treat all traders the same, regardless of whether anybody has complained or not.

"Anybody who puts an A board on a public highway risks prosecution."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.