AN organisation given the task of regenerating a town is being accused of letting shops die.

Two firms in Newport Road, Middlesbrough, have closed with the loss of passing trade following the introduction of a ban on buses and the partial blocking off of the road, planned by Middlesbrough Town Centre Company.

Traders affected by the plans claim the traffic restrictions channel shoppers into an area of town where the chain stores are concentrated.

Shop owners, desperate to attract trade, claim they were given the go-ahead to put sandwich boards outside their premises as part of a bid to attract more business.

However, food takeaway owner Louise Di Carlo has been ordered to remove her pavement sign - or face prosecution and a possible £3,000 fine.

She said: "It's not fair. The board is our only method of advertising. We were asked to remove it. Yet nothing is being done for us, despite being promised all sorts.

"The road is closed and they are not bothered about this part of town any more. It is not as if it is a narrow pavement, or in anyone's way. People walking through the town centre can't see that we are here.''

Karen Armstrong, a partner in a seamstress business in the same row of shops, said Middlesbrough Council had made a U-turn over an earlier ban on sandwich boards - only to change its mind yet again.

She said: "We are getting contradictory advice, no help when they said they would meet with us. We are just being ignored.

"It seems they are just catering for the big businesses and we don't stand a chance.''

Les Southerton, chief executive of Middlesbrough Town Centre Company, said: "We recognise we have to try and encourage pedestrians past the Hill Street Shopping Centre entrance to pass those shops and use them.

"We have to flag up these shops and show what services they provide. They are important to us.''

He said the company would shortly consult with traders on plans for the area, including improving signs to it.

Mr Southerton said the sandwich boards could prove hazardous to people with visual handicaps and the elderly.