GAZETTE & HERALD: THE 150-year-old tradition of Chippenham councillors wearing ceremonial robes will continue after months of debate over whether to scrap them.

Town councillors voted to keep the robes and preserve their civic identity last Wednesday.

The decision followed months of debate and a consultation exercise, in which 62 per cent of the 666 respondents felt the robes should still be worn.

It means councillors will now be able to make their own decision about whether to wear their robes or not.

Some are keen to hold on to tradition while others think the navy blue robes and hats are scruffy, outdated and a waste of taxpayers' money. Each robe costs between £500 and £875.

Coun Nina Philips said she was strongly in favour of keeping them. "We have a heritage centre in this town how can we get rid of the robes?" she said. "The idea of wearing badges or ties instead is ridiculous."

Coun Andrew Noblett said the debate had nothing to do with the cost of the robes, it was all about tradition.

He said: "We asked the electors, we've got the answer and it's clear. We would be mad and stupid to reject that."

But Coun Philip Alnatt said: "The idea that we should take notice of a consultation of this size is equally silly. What this shows is that people don't care. They are concerned that the river is filled with rubbish and about other practical things like CCTV.

"When I joined this council in 1991 we rejected a plea to spend £200 on a swing but went on to spend the same amount of money on our regalia. What are we here for? What are our priorities? I said I wouldn't wear mine and would prefer to get the swing and I was castigated.

"I'm all in favour of a civic flavour to the community but we need a bit of modernity. The Lord Chancellor doesn't wear a wig anymore."