BURGER and kebab van owners who run their businesses illegally have been fined hundreds of pounds for flouting trading laws.

Swindon Council has warned that it isn't afraid to prosecute traders tempted to set up shop unofficially.

Three men Ramazen Sen, Hasmet Acar and Ayhan Keloglan all pleaded guilty to charges of illegal street trading.

Swindon Magistrates heard that Sen, 49, formerly of Manchester Road, Swindon, now of New Road, Chippenham, had been illegally trading from his burger van parked at the Greenbridge Retail Park for more than 10 years. He was charged with trading offences on February 20 and March 8 last year, fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

Acar, 22, of Manchester Road, was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £600, while Keloglan, 42 of Castle Dore Close, Freshbrook, was ordered to pay costs of £751.24.

All three men are known to Swindon Council for operating their burger and kebab vans from sites where they do not have authorisation to do so.

Michael Enwright, enforcement officer at Swindon Council, said: "We hope this is going to be a good exercise to show any potential traders who might be considering breaking the law that the council will prosecute.

"The council does not want to prevent traders from earning a living.

"We are trying to get them to earn a living legally.

"The aim is to get traders licensed so they have the protection of the law."

The traders need to obtain planning permission and gain the council's consent before setting up a business.

The council erected bollards at the site where Sen's van is usually parked.

However, the bollards were not positioned correctly and did not prevent Sen from accessing the site.

Acar has been trading from his van parked in Queen's Drive for eight months.

He was charged with trading offences which took place on February 20 and March 8 last year.

Keloglan pleaded guilty to illegal street trading on two occasions on March 1 and March 8 last year in The Square, Old Town.

Chairman of the magistrates' bench Roger Williams said: "You are strongly advised to set up your business in a legal fashion."

Emma-Kate Lidbury