A Witham shopkeeper fears a ban on displaying tobacco will kill trade for corner shops.

The coalition government is currently reviewing regulations banning the display of tobacco, which are set to come into force in 2013.

Ranjandra Patel, who has run the Cross Roads Convenience Store in Cross Road for 25 years, believes a ban would cause many independent retailers to struggle.

The 55-year-old said: “If the display ban comes, we’re going to have a hell of a job to survive.

“If tobacco’s hidden, people won’t know what stock we have.

“A lot of people won’t buy it if they can’t see it.

“Legislation like this will kill a lot of small shops, especially those who survive on cigarettes.

“It will affect my business a lot.”