A New Milton trader says he is being forced to shut up shop because of a new pedestrian crossing being built outside his premises.

business at Newmill DIY has slumped so dramatically that proprietor Jason Perry believes the shop is no longer financially viable.

The £68,000 crossing is being built to provide pedestrians with safe access to a health centre in busy Station Road.

Mr Perry has started his "closing down sale" and will stay open until he has sold off his remaining stock.

"It is totally killing trade," he said. "At the end of the day I rely on passing trade and people parking."

Mr Perry said that when he first took over the DIY store in 2001, it made between £200-£400 a day but since work started on the crossing on January 24, he has not taken more than £100 a day.

Four parking spaces outside the shop have been swallowed up to make way for the crossing, which has had planning permission since the mid-90s.

The shopkeeper says many of his customers are elderly and alternative car parks are too far away for them to get to his shop.

A Hampshire County Council spokesman said: "The removal of a section of layby provides a safe pedestrian waiting area and ensures adequate visibility for pedestrians and drivers. There is other parking available nearby so it is considered that the benefits of a safe crossing should outweigh the concerns about losing some on-street parking."

Mr Perry put his shop on the market 18 months ago but was unable to sell it because of the planned crossing.

The trader now wants to convert the shop into offices to support his two other businesses, a property maintenance firm and a holiday bureau.

But he has been told his plan is unlikely to be approved because New Forest District Council operates a policy that does not support changing retail units into offices

Mr Perry said: "I have written them a long letter saying if I can't do what I want to do, I will be boarding up the windows, making it an eyesore and basically shutting up shop."

Lio Balland, chairman of New Milton And district Chamber of Commerce, said: "A lot of businesses don't have parking spaces at the front of their shops for their customers who have to park elsewhere. We have to work together to make life better for everyone."