A RALLY was held in Wroughton at the weekend to highlight the potential threat to the rural buffer between Swindon and its neighbouring towns and villages.

About 50 people from Wootton Bassett, Lydiard Millicent and Wroughton took part.

They called for Swindon Borugh Council to create new developments on sites inside the town which had already been built on known as brownfield sites instead of encroaching on the surrounding countryside.

The rally was organised by Charmian Spickernell, spokeswoman for the Wiltshire branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

She said: "We believe Swindon should look at urban regeneration before expanding its borders.

"Swindon has a lot of problems in education and the social services and the town should sort that out before it grows any larger."

The protesters say the buffer, a designated rural area which is intended to maintain the distinct character of individual communities, has been substantially reduced.

People are currently being asked for their views by North Wiltshire District Council on the North Wiltshire District Plan 2011, which proposes that land to the west of Wootton Bassett, Purton, Lydiard Millicent and Cricklade will no longer be in the buffer zone.

The protesters fear that once development from the west gets the go-ahead it will pave the way for Swindon to develop from the east.

Many of the communities fear it will mean their unique sense of village life being swallowed up by the urban sprawl of Swindon.

The rally was supported by several pressure groups, including the Front Garden Action group, which is fighting to preserve land immediately south of Swindon and north of the M4 from development.

Its leader, Terry King, vowed that FRAG's work would continue.

Mollie Groom, who chairs the Lydiard Millicent Residents' Association, said: "We have a small, caring community and we don't want to be part of Swindon, which has crime and drug problems.

"Today we held a litter pick in the village, and everyone turned up because they like their village to look tidy, and that is the sense of community that we could lose if Swindon comes any closer."