PIPER Heath Richardson is fighting back against traders who want to ban him from Oxford's main shopping street.

For 14 years, Mr Richardson, 32, has entertained shoppers in Cornmarket Street with popular tunes including Scotland the Brave and Highland Cathedral.

But some traders say the music is drowning out their conversations and have launched a petition calling for Mr Richardson to be banned.

Mr Richardson, from Chipping Norton, who trained at the Glasgow School of Piping, has launched a counter-petition urging councillors to let him stay.

Click hear to listen to a podcast of Heath Richardson playing the bagpipes

He has collected almost 500 signatures, compared to 400 gathered by businesses.

Mr Richardson said: "People are queuing up to sign my petition and it is not just tourists - a lot of local people are signing it as well. By the end of the week I should have 1,000.

"Some bands come into Cornmarket and use loads of amplifiers and break all the council's busking guidelines but I stick to them and I think I should be allowed to stay."

Businessmen in Cornmarket Street, including medical publisher Dr William Waggott, have called for tighter controls on buskers, citing Mr Richardson as a particular problem. Students using Jesus College accommodation have also complained.

Jean Fooks, executive member for a cleaner city, said she visited Mr Richardson yesterday and added: "He is sticking to the council's voluntary code, which means he can certainly stay for the time being.

"We need to consider whether the code should be revised and I expect the central, south and west area committee will look at the issue in January, taking into account both petitions."

Oxford Brookes University student Tom Hobbs, 19, signed Mr Richardson's petition. He said: "The bagpipes create a festive atmosphere for shoppers. The guy should be allowed to stay - he isn't doing any harm."

Fellow Brookes student Charlotte Day, 19, said: "I think he is brilliant - he's a bit different from your average busker and he puts a smile on people's faces."

But one businesswoman working above the Clarendon Centre, said: "The quality of the music is frantic and repetitive and most people would not like to do their job with that in their ears."

Dr Waggott added: "I am pleased the council is looking at the issue because the busking code should be better enforced."