Royal parks can say burger off

Unlicensed burger stands are a familiar sight in many British cities, but new legislation may finally clear them out of London's royal parks.

The royal parks trading regulations, which came into force earlier this week, give police the right to seize traders' trolleys and other equipment. In the past, police were only able to ask burger sellers to wheel their trolleys away - enabling them simply to wait until the coast was clear before returning to their pitch.

Also, the maximum penalty for illegal trading offences in the royal parks and Trafalgar Square is up from £200 to £1,000.

Arts Minister Alan Howarth said the trading regulations should put an end to park visitors paying exorbitant prices for unhygienic food.

"Burgers and hot dogs not properly stored, cooked in recycled oil and served up to an unsuspecting public present a serious health risk," he said. "And all of this has been accompanied by all-pervading and foul cooking smells.

"Not only that, but there have been worrying media reports that organised crime may have been behind the traders' operations."