THE source of both controversy and heated rows in the battle for business could finally be banished thanks to a new initiative designed to do away with Minehead's profusion of A-boards.

For years civic leaders have argued with local traders over the number of advertising boards put on pavements outside shops throughout the town.

Now, in attempt to do away with the boards, West Somerset Council has teamed up with Minehead Town Council and Minehead Chamber of Trade to promote individual businesses through new signs and an updated smartphone app.

From today (Friday), new signs will be put up at strategic points around the town, pointing the way to individual business and key local landmarks.

The project is being financially supported by a number of external grants and also includes signs for local car parks and for businesses on the town's Enterprise Park in Mart Road.

The "business directory" and directional signs will be put up in Wellington Square and at the junctions of Holloway Street and The Parade, The Avenue and Blenheim Road and The Avenue and Summerland Road.

The district council is also working on new regulations to clampdown on A-boards which cause obstructions or clutter pavements in key conservation areas of the town.

When district councillors agreed to give almost £3,000 towards the new signs from 'planning gain' money, they were told by officers: "The lack of provision of clear directional business signage in the town centre has been a running concern for the Minehead Chamber of Commerce and other bodies within the town.

"This now has become a much more urgent priority with the proposals to regulate A-boards within the town being well advanced."

The new signs have been painted in a heritage conservation green and cream design and feature a "QR" code - a small black and white square of dots - which acts like a barcode to direct smartphone users to the Minehead Town Guide App.

The app can be downloaded onto a mobile phone or a computer tablet from the internet and contains a host of information about the town centre.

Shops, restaurants, cafés and visitor attractions are all listed, as well as a new heritage trail highlighting some of the town's historical points of interest.

These include the Minehead ghost story of old Mother Leaky, a malevolent spirit who, it is said, whistles down the wind to cause tragedies at sea.

The Minehead Town Guide App was developed by the district council in conjunction with local businesses and is free to download onto smartphones and tablets.

The history and heritage trails can also be found online at http://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk">www.visit-exmoor.co.uk and in a three minute YouTube video.

Cllr Karen Mills, the district authority's lead member for regeneration and economic growth, said: "We have so much to offer here and we want to give people the confidence to get out and explore the area.

"Getting to know our town better will encourage people to support local shops and services and come back and visit us again."

The signs are part of a wider, ongoing strategy designed to boost Minehead's tourism fortunes.

The town's first 'vision manager' Stephen Hooper was appointed at the end of last year.

He recently outlined his own plans for a number of initiatives, including a nationally important urban arboretum and secret gardens trail through Parks Walk, Blenheim Gardens and Clanville, while The Quay was the focus for the town's first harbour festival at the end of July.

Speaking at last Wednesday's meeting of West Somerset Council, Mr Hooper said the inaugural festival had been a huge success and the stage had been set for it to become an annual fixture in the local calendar.

He said business had reported a huge surge in sales during the event, with one shop seeing a six fold increase in trade on festival day, while others either doubled of tripled their trade.

"There has been generated a widespread understanding and local support for the economic regeneration of Quay Town and activities linked to its maritime heritage.

"The first embryonic harbour festival was a success and is a catalyst for future developments," Mr Hooper said.

He estimated that up to 3,000 people had flocked to the Quay area of Minehead to take part in festival events, which included a children's pirate-themed party and sailings of the tall ship Irene of Bridgwater.

In all, 60 residents sailed on the vessel over five days, while civic leaders and local students took part in an exchange of goods between Minehead and Barry in Wales.

"The importance of the Irene docking in Minehead harbour was significant as no tall ship had docked for 60 years.

"The exercise had fundamental implications for future maritime economic activity in Minehead as many elements had to be proven to re-establish it as a harbour/haven 'known' to the tall ship fleet operating in and around the Bristol Channel," Mr Hooper said.

He told councillors he was hopeful the activities from the first festival, including sea shanties and storytelling, would help to support a bid for Heritage Lottery funding for a harbour-based artwork project next year.

He said the 2013 festival had proved there was scope for future events in and around Minehead's harbour area and could even lead to the creation of special maritime trail between North Devon and Somerset.