THE leader of Ledbury's traders has hit out strongly at shopkeepers who ignore Herefordshire Council's code of practice on pavement displays and advertising boards.

The council has recently said that self-policing arrangements could be reviewed if traders fail to comply with the agreed code of practice.

Len Huff, who runs The Toy Box in Homend Mews, said traders who break the rules are "arrogant and utterly selfish".

"A tendency by some traders to erect illegal notices and A-boards around the town is increasing.

"Should we lose the privilege in our unique market town of the use of A-boards, then we will all suffer. Don't they understand that?"

Mr Huff said problems were also being caused by traders parking their vehicles on double yellow lines.

"Should any trader continue to flout the regulations, then I shall have no hesitation in naming and shaming them, in fairness to the great majority of traders who do their utmost to keep to the letter of the law," he said.

The council is concerned that A-boards sited inappropriately can be an obstruction to pedestrians, particularly the elderly or disabled.