SHOPKEEPERS in a Kent city have accused the county council of pettiness after it told them to get rid of advertising boards on pavements outside their businesses.

Officers from KCC's highways department have been confiscating boards from Canterbury traders who refused to get rid of them.

The council says it is cracking down on street clutter, especially items which block the pavement and force pedestrians to walk in the road to get past.

But the move has angered traders, who say they were advised to buy the boards by Canterbury City Council.

Alistair Scrutton, supervisor at Blacks, in Burgate, fell foul of the county council for having a small stand outside the shop containing free catalogues.

He said: "It is absolutely farcical. Clearly people who work for the county council have nothing better to do with their time than indulge in this pettiness.

"It is so unnecessary and officious."

* See the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, April 26) for the full story.