COMPLAINTS about the behaviour of Big Issue sellers in Bournemouth town centre are running at an all-time high.

Town centre manager Roger Parker said he has never had as many incidents raised with him by tourists and traders.

He said: “The complaints have been about noise and shouting, sellers walking off pitches and going in front of people, and accusations people are inebriated.”

Mr Parker added such behaviour was not appropriate for the town’s image.

The problem was also raised at Bournemouth Chamber of Trade’s last meeting at the town hall.

President Nigel Hedges said: “If you don’t buy one you get a sarcastic ‘Have a nice day’ and I’m getting very bored of that happening five to eight times a day.”

Steve Kent, chair of Boscombe Traders Association, said: “I had to break up a fight between three of them over money outside New Look on the way here.”

Town centre Big Issue seller Simon, 32, said: “There’s been a few bad apples come in the past couple of weeks but they’ve been banned from selling it.

“All the local sellers know each other and there’s no problem with them.”

A friend, 37, said: “You can get them coming in big groups and they crowd people and put them off buying.”

A Big Issue spokesman said: “We are aware certain individuals purport to be vendors whilst engaging in anti-social behaviour, hence our staff work closely with the police.

“With the support of the local authority we’re about to introduce jackets, which we hope will make spotting vendors a great deal easier.”