A petition bearing over 400 signatures objecting to the removal of A boards from outside premises in the town is being passed to the Chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, Counc Sue White, by Lucy Thomas (pictured left) on behalf of customers and staff of Coffee One.

Coffee One was forced by Monmouthshire County Council to remove most of the seating from the wide pavement area outside the shop and the petition was launched four weeks ago.

Lucy, who helped organise the petition, said "We've had a lot of angry customers. They're saying what happens if you put a pushchair in front of the cafe or if someone in a wheelchair wants to sit outside, are the council going to object to that?"

The petition states: "We believe the seating does not obstruct the footpath or cause any danger to pedestrians."

The county council's decision to ban A boards in the town was supported by Monmouth Town Council but has angered many traders.

Church Street Greengrocer Phil Munday said: "People come to Monmouth to shop, but discouraging the ability of small shopkeepers to attract them harms trade.

"I appreciate that rules are rules and made with good intent, but if unreasonably or too rigorously enforced shops and streets become uniform, people are tidied away, Monmouth loses its special identity, and shopping becomes a sterile and dispiriting experience. "