YET again I read that another old building of social and historic interest in Chippenham is under threat of demolition.

I cannot believe North Wiltshire District Council has plans to get rid of the former Gaumont Cinema Goldiggers Nightclub in Timber Street when it is a building the town should be fighting to keep.

Not only is it a prime example of 1930s Art Deco architecture, its designer, W E Trent, is acknowledged as one of the greatest cinema architects this country has ever produced.

It seems remarkable that while examples of his work in London, notably the Apollo Theatre, are given Grade II* listed status, the planners of Chippenham wish to replace our historic example with no doubt yet another character-less modern development.

If this building is demolished, how long will it be before the people of Chippenham bemoan the fact that once again another piece of the town's history has been lost.

ANGELA BEVAN

Monkton Park, Chippenham