COTSWOLD District Council has given a chilly reception to a street trader who wanted to carry on selling kebabs in a Bourton lay-by.

Councillors refused the application by Mr Abdurrahman Yassar to continue his trade on the Rissington Road after a six-month trial period.

More than 40 nearby residents signed a petition against the hot-food van being allowed to continue trading and eight people wrote impassioned letters to the council urging that it refuse a licence.

The application was refused on Monday on the grounds of highway safety and disturbance to residents.

In a letter sent to the committee before its meeting, Bourton district councillor John Anderson said: "I strongly object to the renewal of a street trading consent in the layby

at Rissington Road.

There have been a number of complaints of noise, litter and nuisance to residents.

Quite unacceptable in a residential area."

County Council maintenance officer Adam Gamble had outlined the safety issues to be considered.

"The lay-by is located on a sharp bend and a vehicle travelling at speed from Little Rissington would have very little time to slow down for a vehicle pulling out of the lay-by."

The parish council also urged the committee to refuse the licence, saying in a letter that: "The facility provides a further actual and potential focal point for low-level disorder and

anti-social behaviour which already occurs in and around Bourton, particularly during the hours from 10pm onwards."

The decision was taken by Cotswold District Council's licensing committee, which met in

Cirencester on Monday, September 8.