A town council has banned traders from putting free-standing advertising boards on its land following complaints that pavements are being obstructed. Diss Town Council has 'reluctantly' taken the decision due to concerns that it would be liable for compensation if anyone was injured by tripping over an A-board on sites for which it is responsible.

A town council has banned traders from putting free-standing advertising boards on its land following complaints that pavements are being obstructed.

Diss Town Council has 'reluctantly' taken the decision due to concerns that it would be liable for compensation if anyone was injured by tripping over an A-board on sites for which it is responsible.

The ban covers small areas around the town centre including Mere's Mouth, the Market Place, the Buttermarket and the cut-through between Market Hill and St Nicholas Street.

Town clerk Deborah Sarson said: 'We know that businesses need to advertise and A-boards add to the street scene, but problems arise when they cause an obstruction to the pavements for somebody in a wheelchair or pushchair, or someone who is blind.

'The town council took a decision to ban all the A-boards from any of the land it owns, although one of the councillors has disputed the way in which the decision was made.'

Mrs Sarson has notified traders of the councils concerns and asked for their co-operation the signs, in preference to asking the county council to take action over the matter.