BLIND and disabled pedestrians are set to benefit from a crackdown on illegal pavement signs outside businesses.

Launched this week by Lancashire County Council, it is supported by many organisations and charities and will make walking on many streets much easier.

County Councillor Richard Toon, chairman of the council's highways committee, said: "We've become increasingly concerned about these unauthorised signs.

"They can distract drivers and obstruct pedestrians - causing particular problems to disabled, blind or partially sighted people and those with prams.

"In the interest of road safety we're cracking down on them."

Those responsible for the signs can be prosecuted and if necessary the signs will be removed.

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