A Bill aimed at clearing illegal traders off Manchester's streets has moved one step closer to becoming law after clearing its third reading in the House Of Commons.

The Manchester City Council Bill, which went through the Commons on Thursday January 28, is intended to stop people attempting to use pedlars' certificates to trade illegally in busy shopping areas such as Market Street.

Although these certificates allow individuals to trade anywhere in the country while on the move, many street traders flout the guidelines, often trading in fixed locations and selling counterfeit, substandard and potentially dangerous goods.

Under the current law, City Council licensing officers have to monitor pedlars' activities before they can be prosecuted - a long and costly process.

However, under the powers being put forward in the Bill, the officers will be able to seize goods being sold by illegal traders.

The result in the Commons follows a lengthy campaign by the City Council, with support from Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd, to get the Bill through Parliament. It must now be debated in the House Of Lords before achieving Royal Assent - effectively making it law.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This is great news for Manchester after a long and hard campaign, and I am delighted with this result, which proves once again that the majority of MPs support us and this is a major national problem.

"Illegal street traders often sell shoddy, counterfeit and sometimes dangerous products, undermine hard-working legitimate businesses, and cause major obstructions to emergency services on our busy streets.

"The Bill offers protection to businesses and shoppers alike. We would like to thank Tony Lloyd for all of his hard work in helping to successfully steer this through the Commons and look forward to it going through the Lords and becoming law."