Pedlars were back illegally taking advantage of the post-Christmas shopping rush in Oxford.

Although Cornmarket Street was empty of street traders in the three days before Christmas - after a crackdown the previous weekend - six stalls were out again on Boxing Day, and four yesterday.

The city council has been trying to stop pedlars illegally working in the street.

Yesterday, after being told of the latest sightings, Jean Fooks, Oxford City Council's executive member for a cleaner city, said: "It's very frustrating. They obviously haven't yet got the message and we will have to keep reminding them.

"We need extra resources and we have taken a step forward to that, but it will take a little time.

"In the meantime, we will try to do occasional blitzes and have the officer out when he can be, but it's very much a resource issue."

Shoppers hoping to pick up sales bargains had mixed reactions to the return of the traders - most of whom claimed they were selling goods legally using a pedlar's certificate.

Keighley Scott, 18, from Jericho, said: "I work at Dorothy Perkins and we sell scarves too. I think it's bad that they're back, when you think the shops aren't getting as much custom because of them."

Sam Michaels, 19, of Headington, said: "I don't really have too much of an issue, but if they start taking up my walking space then I would be annoyed.

"And if they're not paying taxes, then I would revise my opinion."

Wellington Muchmore, 30, of Greater Leys, said: "It's annoying, especially when I'm taking the buggy. We need more space and it creates a distrubance."

And Paul Barry, 44 of Littlemore, said: "It seems a bit of a farce that there's some legislation where they can do it if they keep moving.

"I don't know what sort of punishment they face, but it's obviously not enough to deter them coming back."

Jane Hornsby, manager of clothes shop Fat Face, said: "In general, I don't think they're a very good idea, because they sell a lot of the same products and they take away trade from the local stores."

Pedlars with a licence are allowed to move through an area but break the law when they stop and set up in a street. One of the traders, who would only give her name as Long, said: "We work very hard and life is not easy."

Alon Nehaissi, who was selling cushions, when asked if he was trading illegally, said he did not know, then said: "I have to keep moving, because I have a licence."

His stall was stationary at the time.