A taxi driver's campaign to have footbridges fenced in, to prevent missiles being thrown, has suffered a setback.

Somerset County Council says such an initiative, would be too expensive and make the town look like a ghetto.

Chris Stabbins of S & M Taxis, Yeovil, demanded action after his car was hit by a rubbish bag thrown from The Park footbridge, which takes pedestrians across Queensway.

In a letter to Yeovil Town Council, Mr Stabbins says the construction of his car and the timing of the incident prevented serious damage.

Mr Stabbins suggested that structural fencing (or similar) be erected on both bridges over Queensway.

In the letter he also said: "As I feel this is an issue that is of a potential life-threatening nature, I wish to draw to the attention of the council that I shall be (should it be necessary) starting a campaign to ensure that the council act on this matter as soon as possible.

"I believe that it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs and serious injury or loss of life results."

The letter was passed on to the county council (which is the authority responsible for footbridges) and the police.

A copy of the county council's reply was circulated at a committee meeting of Yeovil Town Council this week.

In short, the letter said: "Whilst we understand the reasons for your comments, the county council could not begin to consider funding works for 'anti-missile' screens to structures that carry pedestrians over live traffic.

"The costs are too great and many structures will not be suitable to support such installations. All such criminal offences must of course be pursued by the police and I am sure they will be looking into this incident vigorously."

A county council officer, who attended the meeting, sympathised with Mr Stabbins but added that fenced-in bridges would make the town look like a ghetto.

A letter from the police was also read out, saying the area is patrolled regularly but it is easy for offenders to make a quick escape.

A brief discussion ensued and CCTV was suggested as one way of tackling the problem.