Golfer Bill Leighfield’s wish that his ashes should be buried on Marlborough golf course are being honoured by town councillors, who could have ruled the internment was illegal.

Mr Leighfield was a member of Marlborough Golf Club for more than 30 years and played regularly until a stroke followed by heart trouble brought his playing career to an end ten years ago.

He still regularly visited the club and loved to watch players from his favourite vantage point, a seat at the side of the 15th green by the Rockley road.

Retired engineer Mr Leighfield, 67, from Swindon, died on January 25 and, following his cremation, his family asked the golf club if his ashes could be interred at the side of the 15th with a sapling to mark the spot.

His widow Pat Leighfield said the golf club had no objection but the family, who buried the ashes at the end of February, were unaware the land is not owned by the club but is Common land owned by the town council.

There was a suggestion that the family would have to remove the casket, which would have meant applying to the Ministry of Justice for an exhumation order, but on Monday town councillors agreed that the casket and the sapling could stay.

Coun Peggy Dow was concerned it could set a precedent and said she had already been by asked by local families if they could bury loved ones’ ashes on The Common.

Coun Marian Hannaford- Dobson summed up the feeling of the majority of members saying: “This is a very sensitive situation and we cannot inflict any more pain on this bereaved family over what was an honest mistake.”

Councillors agreed that no further internments would be allowed.

Outside the meeting Mrs Leighfield, who was accompanied by two of her daughters, said: “We thought his would be a fitting resting place for his ashes and we are so pleased the council has agreed they can stay.”

Mr Leighfield’s daughter, Jackie Pannell-Ogola, said: “The family would like to stress how helpful the golf club and town council have been and at no time have we been treated with anything but utmost respect.”