TWO cheeky traders from Preston felt the long arm of the law recently -- for displaying a Lawson Street street sign in their second-hand shop!

The two owners of New To You bric-a-brac shop in New Hall Lane, Preston, came across the infamous street sign, the home of Preston police station, more than 12 months ago at a house clearance sale in Coppull.

And, as a cheeky stunt, the pair decided to put the Lawson Street sign in their shop window in a bid to attract a bit of attention.

However, police officers paid the duo a visit -- just to make sure that the street sign had not been snatched right from right under their noses!

Shop owner Mick Kay, 38, from Preston, who has had the shop for just over a year, explained: "We just put the sign up in the window for a bit of a giggle, to be honest.

"Two patrol officers came to the shop one day after seeing it in the window.

"Once they realised that we hadn't pinched it from just outside Preston police station, they could see the lighter side of it." Business partner Graham Pierce added: "It's strange really. We had a family called Lawson in the shop a couple of weeks ago after they had seen the sign up in the window.

"They offered us more than £100 for the street sign! I couldn't believe it, really. I suppose it's strange what people sell and buy."

Among the treasure-trove of goodies on sale in the shop includes a PNE car registration plate -- and again they have been offered good money for it.

Graham added: "I suppose I'm a bit reluctant to sell that, to be honest!"

Pictured is Mick Kay with the sign outside his shop.