PROPOSED boundary changes for Marlborough have been described as "ridiculous" by Marlborough Town Council, who are set to object to the changes.

New boundary lines will be drawn up shaping where councillors represent within Wiltshire.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England stated that the current Marlborough East and West divisions, based mainly within the town centre, were too large to be combined into one ward and were too small to remain the same size without including rural parishes, that would see Avebury included in Marlborough West and the whole of Savernake Forest included in Marlborough East Ward.

Cllr Guy Loosemore objected to the plans that would see urban and rural villages surrounding the town put together in wards.

He said: "The Marlborough West proposal is ridiculous. The town and village communities are entirely different and have different interest .

"This is not about community localism this is central gov trying to control local services to unsatisfactory levels we must oppose what is being proposed otherwise are town slowly being marginalised.

"We are far removed from Avebury it is difficult for us to understand some of those issues."

Mayor Lisa Farrell said: "If we don't protest we don't have a leg to stand on."

Cllr Harry Forbes added: "We must object in the strongest terms. The variance is nearly at the highest limit for both wards for population figures, and taking out the smaller parishes will do little to change this."

Wiltshire Council approved a draft submission to the boundary commission during a full council meeting on Monday (March 25). Other areas including Westbury, Melksham and Salisbury raised objections about the mix of urban and rural communities proposed by the LGBCE.

To respond to the consultation by April 15 visit: www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk