Traders say they fear they will be driven out of business by a Bradford Council decision to stop them promoting their shops with advertising boards on the street.

Shop owners in Harrogate Road say they are being unfairly penalised by a new ban on A-boards which was introduced by the Council last week.

The ban is being enforced on all major routes into the city because the authority believes the boards block the pavement and force wheelchair users and mothers with pushchairs to step into the road.

However retailers in Harrogate Road are angry because they place their A-boards on the central section of a dual carriageway which they say would not affect pedestrians.

Florist Mike Bowers has just opened Flowers by Frederick and says he relies on the A-boards to let people know he is open for business.

He said: "It is still early days for the business but the majority of people who come in say they found out about the shop from the A-board

"We are set back from the road and traffic travels along here at 40 and 50mph so people will not know we are here unless we can promote ourselves."

Mr Bowers is angry that no consultation took place with businesses along the road before the decision was taken.

The first he knew of the new ruling was when a letter arrived earlier this month telling him that A-boards would be illegal on "key routes" into the city from March 7.

A Council official has slapped a sticker on his A-board requesting it is removed within seven days.

And Mr Bowers has been warned that the A-board will be confiscated and he could face prosecution if he ignores the ban.

Kathleen White opened Kath's cafe eight weeks ago and says she depends on the passing trade.

Both Mrs White and Mr Bower said they would not chosen to open for business on the road if they had known about the A-board ban.

She said: "I am a new business and it is very difficult getting trade in. I am going to end up shutting down."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "The enforcement follows concerns raised by members of the public about the number of obstructions on footways and on traffic islands within the district.

"A-boards can be a particular hazard to people with mobility difficulties, visual impairments and also distract motorists."