MALMESBURY'S new town council has hit out at the appalling sense of apathy in the town, after all its seats were uncontested in last week's election.

Only 13 councillors were sworn in at the new council meeting on Tuesday, not enough to contest the 16 seats available.

As a result, three seats are still up for grabs.

Next month, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs launches its Quality Council scheme, which gives local communities the chance to control services currently being delivered to the town by North Wiltshire District Council through their town and parish councils.

To qualify for the scheme, Malmesbury Town Council must represent and actively engage in all areas of its community.

The town must also have 80 per cent of the council willing to stand in an election. But it currently fulfils this criteria by only one seat, so if anyone were to drop out, the council would fail to qualify.

To make matters worse, an added criteria, which due to come into play by the next election, means the council must be elected in order to be included in the scheme. Malmesbury has already failed that test.

This means that the town could lose out on a host of benefits, including parking, library and museum management, leisure and tourism, litter collection and street lighting.

Charles Vernon, who will be sworn in as Mayor on Tuesday, said: "I am very disappointed that people are not putting themselves forward to serve their community."

Urging people to put an end to the apathy, he said there were many opportunities to take greater responsibility at local level. He added: "The town council doesn't have many powers, but it is quite influential and does have an effect on local affairs.

"It would be hugely disadvantageous to the town if we lost this valuable opportunity."

Councillor Edmund Dias, who joined the council last year, said: "I am very shocked that more people did not come forward. But I think this is a problem faced by many other parishes and towns in the country."

Before this month's election there were 16 council members, but six stood down and only three new councillors came forward.

One of those who decided to retire from the council was Jim Toogood.

Mr Toogood has spent the last 40 years serving on the council, including stints as mayor. He says that this year's predicament is the worst he has seen.

"It has never been as bad as this, it is a very sad state of affairs," he said.

The town council's plight is in contrast to surrounding parish councils such as Sherston and Luckington, which were both contested.

In a bid for fresh blood, James Beesley, Malmesbury's youngest councillor, is encouraging youngsters in the area to get involved in politics.

The 30 year-old, who joined Malmesbury last year, is setting up a youth council at Malmesbury School for that specific purpose.

He said: "Young people can meet in the town hall and we will give them an opportunity to debate their requirements in the town. We hope then that more people will get involved."

Meanwhile, the remaining three seats on the council are yet to be filled.

Coun Vernon said: "There are three seats that we can co-opt for Malmesbury and we would be interested to hear from anybody who would like to help their community."

To find out more, write to Edward Ferguson, town clerk, Malmesbury Town Council, town hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, SN16 9BZ.