UNOFFICIAL car traders who sell their vehicles at the roadside could be stopped by a new by-law.

Councillors in Westhoughton are considering bringing in new rules to restrict where cars can be parked and advertised for sale following complaints.

Businessman Vincent Fahey claims cars for sale parked near his premises are getting in the way and driving customers away.

Vincent Fahey, owner of the Golf Factory, off the Chequerbent roundabout in Westhoughton, has complained for four months that cars are being traded but he has been told there is nothing the authorities can do.

The cars are blocking spaces which are used by his customers when they visit his store. They are parked on the access road between the roundabout and the car park behind Chequers restaurant.

Because each vehicle has a different mobile number printed beneath their price tags, it means that the sellers are not breaking any law.

Cars which belong to individual sellers can be legally parked anywhere there are no parking restrictions.

Mr Fahey said: "They are driving people away but there is nothing I can do. If I got a burger van, parked it in the same spot and started trading, I would be in trouble but these people can just come here and park up.

"We pay business rates and expect other people who run companies to do the same. It's also unfair on the recognised car dealers who go by the book and pay their rents."

Bolton Council officials said they were considering putting up a sign saying vehicles were not to be sold in the area, but Mr Fahey said the warning would have to be enforceable by new regulations.

Westhoughton Liberal Democrat councillor David Wilkinson, said: "We are trying to tackle this problem at the moment and are looking at the possibility of setting up a by-law.

"The problem is that the law is thin on the ground on this matter but it's something that we do take seriously."