ANGRY Rubery traders are up in arms because a garden built to mark the Millennium is putting their livelihoods at risk.

Lilah Rohman, co-owner of Martin's Sportswear, in New Road, was left fuming after Bromsgrove District Council ordered her, and nearby businesses, to take down their A-boards outside their shops.

They were told the boards ruined the view of the Jubilee Garden in front of their premises.

Six shops affected are set back from the road and cannot be seen by passers-by. Three put out the boards.

The garden boasts trees which are soon to be in bloom and will hide the shops even more.

Mrs Rohman, who runs her shop with her husband, Martin, said: "We need those A-boards because business has been so bad over the last three months and crime is getting worse.

"Our shops already lose out because they are not covered by CCTV and there is only one lamp-post,

"We are at the end of our tether and this could be the final nail in the coffin.

"The A-boards don't ruin the garden, people can still see it and sit on the benches there.

"What would the council rather have, derelict shops or a pretty garden?"

Bromsgrove District Council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said: "I can't believe one single sign which is obscuring the Jubilee Gardens, which a lot of people have worked hard to achieve, is actually endangering a trader's livelihood."

Cllr Peter McDonald (Lab, Uffdown and Waseley) said: "What I find rather strange is the district council planting large trees which will obscure the shops from the view of the CCTV cameras.

"Instead of taking action over an A-board the authority should concern itself with issues like businesses and lorry parks being created in the green belt."