MARLBOROUGH Town Council's policy on health and safety at its parks and buildings has been held up as a good example of best practice.

The current issue of the Local Council Advisory Service's health and safety bulletin features an article by Marlborough town clerk Graham Gittins, who set in motion a health and safety audit of town council property shortly after he took over the post two years ago.

He brought in health and safety officer Gordon Heath who has been looking at the council's property since October last year. Mr Heath discovered a number of issues that could have cost the council dear should an accident have occurred and it was sued.

For example, in one of the council's play areas, a slide was discovered with protruding rivets which could have cut a child. The slide has been removed and loose rubber safety tiles, a tripping hazard, have been grouted with sand.

When two bus shelters were vandalised, the asbestos lining the roof of one became exposed and a specialist contractor was able to remove it.

Because of Marlborough's history of disastrous fires the town council offices were heavily smoked damaged during a blaze in June 1998 the establishment of a fire safety policy was thought a priority by Mr Gittins and one has since been introduced.

An audit of facilities for disabled people in readiness for the coming into force of the Disabled Discrimination Act next year found that access to the town hall for disabled people was unsafe and the unsatisfactory handmade ramp was removed.

The town council is currently involved in trying to get its plans to make the town hall accessible to disabled people past Kennet District Council.

Mr Gittins said: "The implementation of monthly health and safety committee meetings for employees has attracted an extremely positive response from the staff.

"Staff are becoming increasingly confident that health and safety issues will be dealt with by the council in a proactive and effective fashion. The initiatives have motivated the staff and a safety culture is developing."

A spokesman for the LCAS said it heartily endorsed the council's initiatives. "Perhaps their efforts will encourage other members to follow their lead," he said.