MALMESBURY town councillors have admitted that there is huge support within the town for retaining the Millennium Cross at Malmesbury Abbey.

The abbey has appealed against the removal of its cross. It was put up as a temporary structure in 2000 but views on it were divided, and in October North Wiltshire District Council ordered its removal.

Town councillor Jo Price said she has been approached by people in the street saying it should stay.

"As far as I am concerned there has been a huge wave of people that want to retain the cross," said Coun Price at a town council meeting last week.

She said the town council should listen to the views of townspeople and support retaining the cross.

But Coun Patrick Goldstone said that, having applied for temporary planning permission two years ago, the abbey should respect the decision to bring the cross down.

Today is the closing date for anybody wishing to add their comments about the cross to the Planning Inspectorate at the district council.