Broad Street is "beginning to look like a ghost town", according to Newent's mayor.

Coun Fred Passant voiced concerns about the number of empty shops there and elsewhere, at the town council's annual meeting on Monday.

He also revealed that several shops have indicated that they are looking to change from retail to residential use.

"The Chamber of Trade ought to do what it can to improve the situation," he said. "We, as a council, can object to change of use, particularly if bids have been made by people willing to buy a retail outlet.

"The town council should be taking a lead, pointing out to local people that if they don't use their local shops, they will lose them.

"Several shops have whitened their windows. The situation has deteriorated in the last few weeks and people have been asking, what are we going to do about these empty premises?"

The debate followed consensus among town councillors that the number of shoppers in Newent has been falling for some time. Coun Passant said that the 1,200 new postcards of Newent that have been produced could help to boost visitor numbers.