Street traders offer henna tattoos

Residents and businessmen and women say the casual traders, who charge for hair braiding and henna tattoos are "littering" the streets, give the port a bad name and take valuable income from traders who have to pay business rates.

North Cornwall District Council is considering imposing a ban in the harbour area.

Mike Fox, a former chairman and president of the Padstow Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's been a source of aggravation to local traders and causes quite a large obstruction during the height of the season.

"They bum their way around life and it's lowering the tone of Padstow which to a large degree has gone upmarket and I think it's not a good thing for the town."

The imposition of the ban on street trading in the harbour is due to be discussed on 18 August by North Cornwall District Council.

A separate by-law would have to be drawn up to cover hair braiders and henna tattooists.

The authority's legal department is currently looking into how to implement the legislation.