TAKE a break on these benches and you're really in the driving seat!

Or is that in the middle of the road?

Traders and motorists in Layton are being driven mad by the latest items of street furniture installed by Blackpool Council.

On Westcliffe Drive, between two lanes of busy traffic, highways bosses have installed several sets of benches.

But the question on everyone's lips around Layton is who will want to sit there?

Among those bemused by the appearance of the benches is Michael Barlow, who runs KC's Cafe in Westcliffe Drive and is chairman of the Layton Traders Association.

He said: "I'm not annoyed by the work – most of it looks great. The trees are nice and the pavements. But the benches don't seem to have been thought out properly. It isn't the best idea in the world, is it? Who is going to want to sit in between two lanes of traffic?"

Mr Barlow is worried the benches might actually pose a danger to the public.

He said: "We've got schoolchildren crossing the road to sit out there. It's only going to take one car coming down the hill and going out of control and somebody is going to be seriously hurt or killed."