TRADERS in Wootton Bassett's High Street are worried that locals are increasingly shopping elsewhere at weekends.

The town's chamber of commerce has been running a series of Saturday activities for children in an effort to persuade families to stay in the town for their weekend shop.

Brian Taylor, president of the town's chamber of commerce, said: "We are concerned. I think people's shopping habits have changed over the last few years and there are obviously other shopping areas where people can go.

"We are very proud of our town and we used to have an active High Street but there are fewer people around on Saturdays now.

"A number of traders have expressed concerns about it."

Sanjay Soni, sub-postmaster in the High Street, believes that business on Fridays is now being affected.

He said: "I think that more people are going to Swindon and Chippenham at the weekends. We want to encourage people to shop in the town."

On recent Saturdays children's activities have been arranged in an effort to counter the problem.

Today's event is a competition called Funny Business.

Children will be given a sheet with various clips of artwork on it. They have to go around the town's shops and find the businesses to which the pieces of art relate.

Forms are available from the Town Hall from 2pm and must be returned by 4pm.

The prize is a cream tea for a family of four at the Lemon Grove Tea Rooms.

There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting and table-top sale.