Ref. 28572-54SHOPOWNER and self-confessed loony Roly Gillard has resorted to handing out funny money to boost trade.

Roly Gillard, owner of The Little Print Shop in Swindon's Market Hall, has started handing out discount tokens in the form of spoof notes.

The £1 notes feature a picture of Margaret Thatcher in place of the Queen and are signed by the "Chief Shyster" instead of the "Chief Cashier".

"With my record, I think the notes are very appropriate," said Mr Gillard, who is a member of the Monster Raving Loony Party. Mr Gillard said The Little Print shop was struggling to attract customers and put it down to the council's parking restrictions.

"It's difficult to park in Swindon town centre, and when people do park, the charges are high."

Since September, the council has controlled parking enforcement, with 40 staff patrolling the streets issuing tickets to motorists.

And while car parks in central Swindon cost £6.10 per day for long stay, or 80p to £1 per hour for short stay, shoppers pay nothing at malls on the edge of Swindon.

Swindon Council's Coun Ian Dobie, lead member for transport, said he had not heard complaints from businesses about parking.

He said: "The reaction we've had to date from businesses in general is they welcome the enforcement."

He said businesses appreciated the ease with which they could load and unload goods without being hindered by illegally parked cars.