A PETITION has been launched to keep a piece of history on the streets.

The wartime barrow that sits outside Diplock’s Yard, an antiques shop, in Gloucester Road, Brighton, could be wheeled away for good because the city council has declared it problematic for road users.

It comes after some residents complained about the cart, whose history stretches back to the First World War.

Shop owner Keith Shearing, 57, started the petition, which has received more than 500 signatures and will be submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council if it hits 1,250.

Keith said: “I got the cart when we moved here a year ago from Upper Gardner Street – it’s about 150 years old.

“The cart is part of Brighton’s history.

“It’s part of the character of the city. It’s a bit of what Brighton used to be.

“It means a lot to our customers.”

The council handed Keith a 28-day notice to remove the barrow, but that has now expired.

However, he insists he does not want to move and said he “would rather burn the barrow” than move it.

The old Diplock’s Yard site used to house barrows that were hired out to rag-and-bone men.

Keith’s cart, which remains outside his shop now with the words “Save Our Barrow” emblazoned across it, is popular among his customers.

He said: “People have come into the store just to sign the petition.

“We even have tourists posing next to it for pictures.

“From a business point of view, it draws people’s attention to the shop which is of course a good thing.”

A spokeswoman for the council said Keith was expected to move his barrow soon.

She said: “The barrow is on the public highway, obstructing the road and causing problems for large vehicles turning the corner.

“Following complaints we visited the site and, following discussion with the owners, we issued a notice giving 28 days to remove the barrow.

“We are expecting the owner to remove the barrow in the next few days.”

To sign the petition, go to Diplock’s Yard.