TROLLEY trouble could soon be a thing of the past in the New Forest as the district council moves to clamp down on supermarkets.

New legislation means the council has the powers to round up any trolleys that have gone astray and then keep them for six weeks before disposing of them.

Cllr Christine Ford told the council's environment review panel that a Ringwood councillor has taken 40 photographs of abandoned trolleys in the past month.

"They are used as a sort of toy by some young people who push each other around," she said.

Colin Read, the council's assistant director of commercial services, said in general New Forest area supermarkets have a responsible attitude.

But the council now has the powers to act where trolleys are a problem.

"Nuisance can be quite significant if they are left on pavements or on highways," he said.

And he pointed out that pound-in-the-slot trolleys are less frequently abandoned. Review panel members want the council cabinet to initiate a consultation on the council's powers over trolleys.

Consultees will include chambers of trade, supermarkets, the Association of Convenience Stores, the Association of Town Centre Management and town and parish councils.