Residents have criticised Barnet Council's "petty rules" introduced recently in a crackdown on illegal flower sellers.

Last week officers erected signs in the borough warning sellers they may face a maximum £1,000 fine if they are caught trading at traffic lights on major trunk roads.

Meanwhile, the council's head of public affairs, Kevin Wilson, claimed sellers were harming local shopkeepers by trading without a licence.

However, Golders Green resident Steve Chong, of Sandringham Road, is among several who wrote this week in support of the sellers. He said: "Barnet Council has painted over our high streets with prohibitive yellow lines and reduced the number of parking spaces with the introduction of money making parking bays.

"I need not remind anyone just how difficult it is these days to park and shop on our high streets and consequently many local shops have gone out of business due to a lack of significant trade. Now in an effort to be seen to be helping those neglected shop traders the council is harassing hard-working and courteous flower sellers who give us a much-needed and friendly service."

Cabinet member for environment Councillor Geof Cooke said: "Illegal street traders hinder law abiding shopkeepers and the signs have been put up to help local businesses.

"Parking schemes are designed to do exactly the same by freeing up parking spaces for people, businesses and shoppers by cutting down on the number of commuters parking outside shops for long periods during business hours."

November 7, 2001 13:04