A TOWN centre vendor has been devastated by a council decision to kick him out of Kidderminster following complaints from WH Smith's bookshop.

Mark Garamszegi has sold hot potatoes in Kidderminster for 20 years but Monday's Wyre Forest District Council licensing and environmental committee refused to renew his annual licence - with immediate effect.

The councillors have also banned neighbouring doughnut vendor, Melvyn Hands, from trading in High Street after nine years.

The multi-million pound chain store, which opened its bookshop in High Street late last year, complained in November that the potato vendor "obstructed the visibility and detracted from the aesthetic appearance of the street scene".

A spokeswoman for WH Smith, however, denied the chain wanted Mr Garamszegi's licence revoked but wanted, instead, to discuss him relocating.

Licensing committee chairman, Councillor Pauline Hayward, said members agreed not to renew both the food vending licences, pending a town centre review, which is due to start later this year.

Mr Garamszegi, 40, who served hot spuds six days a week in Kidderminster, described his future as "very grim", as he knew of no alternative sites. He and Mr Hands, 62, vowed to fight the decision.

"I have served the public well and I feel I have been treated unfairly," said Mr Garamszegi, adding: "I am just devastated. I have not slept, I am so upset." He threatened to defy the council and switch his ovens back on.

Within less than two hours he and Mr Hands - who had traded in the town two or three days a week - collected 80 signatures from irate customers and Mr Garamszegi said he was hopeful of substantial public support.

Customer, Chris Cooper, of Park Street, Kidderminster, said: "The stalls are not unsightly and are supplying the area with something they need.

"It's mad - there are empty shops all round and yet they are getting rid of people who are trading and providing a service."

Sarah Hudson, speaking for WH Smith, said she could not comment on the decision taken by the council but added she had been advised by its licensing section that the book retailer's complaint was "far from" the only reason it had been taken.

"We had never requested that his licence not be renewed," she explained, "What we requested and offered was to meet with the council and him to look for an alternative location for his site."

Town Centre Management Forum chairman, Peter Picken, said the forum had not been consulted over whether to get rid of the hot food street vendors.