FOOD vans in Oxford could be hit by new rules forcing them to use utensils and packaging made only from biodegradable materials. 

The move was last night proposed by Oxford City Council’s general purposes licensing committee and the motion passed.

But Saeid Keshmiri, who ran the Posh Nosh kebab van in Oxford for a decade, said: "This is something that could be very expensive for traders.

"The council should consider offering subsidies for this scheme, or sell the packing and utensils to traders itself for a reduced fee.

"It is great for the environment and for future generations though and is worth considering, but business is already very hard at the moment because of the economy."

The policy is to go out to public consultation.