A Narberth publican is protesting against Pembrokeshire County Council's 'draconian' steps to impose a total ban on the use of pavements to display signs, merchandise and floral tubs.

Licensee of the Ivy Bush in High Street, Mrs. Sue Rees has written to Mr. Huw Roberts, director of transport and environment at County Hall, attacking the recent crackdown on unauthorised signs on the public highway across the county after traders in the town were served with notices telling them to remove items from outside their premises or else face fines of £2,500.

"I would like to protest in the strongest possible terms at damage being done to the county by this draconian measure," Mrs. Rees wrote in her letter.

"These measures are absolutely ludicrous. From time immemorial, throughout the world, traders have displayed their wares outside their premises. It is an innate part of the British Corner Shop ethos and certainly an essential part of the character of all small towns throughout the country," she continued.

"Does this restriction apply equally to domestic properties which front the footpath, who put out containers of flowers for the enhancement of the area, and the pleasure of its residents and visitors alike," she asked.

Many towns in the county actively encourage their residents to enhance their properties with flowers and Mrs. Rees has raised concerns about what is to happen to Wales in Bloom and the Prettiest Village competitions.

"Is Pembrokeshire to be excluded or are we just to enter at an extreme disadvantage?," she queried.

"While I will agree, that some traders do exceed what could be presumed 'normal limits', and some who have been warned have carried on regardless, the vast majority are sensible," she opined.

"Some traders have spent hundreds of pounds on topiary to enhance their premises; I myself put tubs of flowers outside my front door every year just to look pretty. There is no reason to put a carpet ban on the whole county just to restrict the few, surely common sense must be allowed to prevail here.

"If regulations must be imposed, then let it be sensible, restrict the display to perhaps 10 per cent of the pavement or a maximum of two feet, whichever is the least," she suggested. "That way everyone wins, the shops can display their goods, everyone can enhance the area with flowers and shrubs, and the pavements have good access for all," she concluded.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told the Observer: "The majority of businesses contacted by the regarding unauthorised signs have complied with the request. Traders who feel that they have a grievance have been invited to write in to the authority.

"Unauthorised flower pots and tubs - along with illegal signs and notices - placed on the public highway (which includes the pavement) can be a hazard to pedestrians," he added.

"They should be placed on front steps or window sills where appropriate. Hanging baskets are acceptable above seven feet.

"Town and Community Councils are permittted such displays as they are covered by public liability insurance."