Trade body warns of death of the high street unless action is taken.

Britain's high streets are under threat and may need swift action and government help to survive, the British Retail Consortium has warned.

The BRC has said the recession is hastening the long-term decline of the high street, with shoppers going out of town and online instead.

With as many as 12% of high street stores already vacant, the BRC claims that many ailing high streets are now approaching a "tipping point", after which they will no longer be viable commercial centres.

The BRC report '21st Century High Streets - A New Vision for our Town Centres', contains a 20-point rescue plan, which includes combating anti-social behaviour in town centres, better parking and public transport, and better design of public spaces.

"The recession is exacerbating the long-term decline quite dramatically," said Stephen Robertson, the BRC director general. "The growth of unemployment is a major concern, not just among those directly impacted but also [in] the spread of a lack of confidence."

The BRC report advocates a mix of independent shops and big-name retailers to act as "anchor stores", and recommends maximising heritage features or natural landscape to develop a sense of place.