SHOPPERS are facing a trolley-load of bother outside their local stores.

The angry bargain hunters are demanding action after having to negotiate their way through dozens of shopping trollies abandoned outside Clydebank Shopping Centre.

The entrance to the centre is directly across from a busy bus stop, taxi rank and train station on Chalmers Street, and the pavement is regularly cluttered by up to 100 abandoned carts.

The build up of trollies comes from many the surrounding supermarkets, including Asda, Iceland and Tesco outlets.

Denis Agnew, an independent councillor for Clydebank Central, says the trollies are a safety hazard.

He said: "At times there can be up to 100 or so trollies blocking the pavement. They stop people getting past. They stop people, taxis and buses alike.

"Our main bus stop is directly across from the pavement that is cluttered, which presents a real health and safety hazard if the trollies were to roll onto the road.

"The taxi rank is also bad, it is definitely affecting this busy road"

Mr Agnew has also had issues with the stray carts blocking the entrance to the shopping centre and admits he has received complaints from the public about the trolley trouble.

He said: "I have complained about it myself on a number of occasions.

"There have been trollies found half a mile away in fields and at the side of the road.

"There have been times the trollies have been blocking traffic and I have had to pull them off the streets.

"People in Clydebank have complained to me about it, and I think the stores involved should have a service which picks up the trollies and takes them back."

Sharon Smith, who has lived in Clydebank for more than 20 years, feels the problems with stray trollies is damaging the local shopping centre.

She said: "The problems are just getting worse and worse every time I come here.

"They blocks the main path, and sometimes the road. People are always tripping and bumping into them.

"I don't want to call the centre a dump, with all the positive changes they have made recently but, with these trollies lying around, it does look like that."

However, a spokeswoman for the Clydebank Shopping Centre defended the centre's attitude towards the hazards blocking the pavement, stating they regularly check the area.

She said: "We do have to chase up the stores from time to time, but it's not often. Once in a blue moon.

"There are people who keep an eye on this, as our main aim to give the customers a chance to have a good time at the centre.

"We wouldn't want anyone to have a bad experience. We are constantly improving, with new facilities available all the time.

"I think we are, in fact, a good shopping centre."