Civic leaders are urging the Government to help stop the growing number of charity shops taking over the centre of Welshpool.

They claim high streets all over Britain are being swamped with charity shops taking advantage of rate relief and squeezing out regular traders.

Welshpool Town Council is in talks with Government officials about how to tackle the problem.

Town clerk Robert Robinson said he feared many businesses were being turned away from the town’s main Broad Street because they could not compete with charity shops offering cut-price goods.

He said: “Charity shops get 80 per cent rate relief, so when it comes to paying rent they can afford to pay more.

“Obviously, the landlord wants the highest amount of money he can get and nine times out of 10 it’s the charity shop that gets given the spot.

“I think there needs to be more control over what shops we have in the town because if we’re not careful many people will end up going to shop elsewhere – that’s if they don’t already.

“I’m not against charity shops and it’s not their fault but I just think we as a town need a bit more variety here.

“We have been in talks with the Government about this matter for some time now and hope that we will be able to progress things this year.”