Walking along Ashford High Street has been likened to tackling an obstacle course - because there are so many advertising boards.

Known as A-boards, the signs promoting shops and businesses are everywhere in the town centre. A count by the Kentish Express this week found 99 A-boards located in the upper and Lower High Street, New Rents, Bank Street and North Street alone.

Now the ad boards have been branded a potential danger to the elderly, partially sighted and blind by one concerned resident.

Devsiri Hewavidana, of Park Farm, who contacted us about the problem, says walking along part of the High Street is like tackling an obstacle course.

He added: “Over the years, various shop signs and billboards have started to crop up outside some shops in our town.

“Originally they were right in front of the said shops, but I have noticed the owners are slowly moving the signs to the middle of the walking space week by week (marketing at its best).

“But when one shop moves their board three yards on to the road, his competitor moves his four yards etc.

“Now it has become ridiculous. They seem to have come to some sort of truce and agreed to put the boards in a straight line, but never mind the inconvenience to walkers.

“As you can see from my photo some shop owners are brazen enough to block the whole walking area with their line of signs.”

He goes on to describe the section of the High Street near Marks & Spencer as the “great obstacle course” and reckons what's happening is not so much A-board as overboard.

There are rules on A-board erection and use.

Kent County Council's website says: “If you own a business and want to place an A-board on the pavement outside your property, you may need planning permission.

“Please contact your local district council for further information.

“You must do this before you start using the A-board.

“You do not need a licence, but do need to agree to the requirements. We need to keep paths and roads clear for users, and if A-boards are causing an obstruction, we may remove them.”

Further information on the rules about A-boards can be seen at http://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/highway-permits-and-licences/requirements-for-an-a-board