ADVERTISING boards on the streets of Trowbridge could be a thing of the past if councillors vote for a ban.

Some town councillors are calling for a total ban of advertising boards on the town's streets, because of their hindrance to wheelchair users, pushchairs and elderly shoppers.

Cllr Tom James, town development committee leader, said the A-board invasion was getting out of hand, and supplied the casting vote in favour of the ban at a meeting last week.

The town council's policy committee will debate the issue at its next meeting, but business leaders in the town believe a blanket ban is out of the question.

Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president Chris Macer, in a letter to the town council, said: "A boards do indicate a thriving town centre and while the chamber does not advocate a free for all, we think this decision is being rather rushed through."

Chamber members are calling for a consultation period to work out the potential loss of trade caused by the removal of A boards.

Mr Macer called for a code of practice to be established, governing the distance boards are placed from premises and enforcing a ban on boards in narrow streets.