A-BOARDS are set to be banned from the district's pavements.

The advertising boards are a common sight on shopping streets in Keighley.

But Bradford Council's executive is poised to agree a ban when it meets next week.

And any business flouting the ruling when it comes into effect next April could be fined £100 and have its board seized.

Disability groups welcomed the ban plan when it was first put forward by the council in the summer.

However, Keighley traders and business leaders voiced their condemnation.

Pennine Plus, in Cavendish Street, said the A-boards were highly effective in attracting customers.

And fellow Cavendish Street trader Graham Benn, of DIY Solutions, questioned the ban.

"My understanding is that if the A-board is within 600mm of your shopfront – which is the area you own – the council can't stop you placing it there," he said.

The council is looking to outlaw the boards following a year-long trial in Ilkley, Saltaire and Leeds Road, Bradford.

If the move is approved, explanatory letters will be sent out with business rates notifications early next year.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "We want to ensure all businesses which may be impacted by the ban have plenty of notice, and using the business rates notification in the New Year is the simplest and most cost effective way of doing that.

"The ban will come into place from April and meantime we are happy to talk to any businesses about different ways of promoting themselves."