A petition to keep the multi-storey car park in Trowbridge free has been started by a local councillor.

The change.org petition, started by Cllr Antonio Piazza, who represents the Drynham ward has already gathered signatures from 304 people (at the time of writing) with a goal of 500.

The £23m Future High Streets Fund bid, which was submitted by Wiltshire Council at the end of July, could see the car park and Castle Place shopping centre demolished.

On the page, Cllr Piazza wrote that he wants to keep the Castle Place car park free describing it as 'the lifeblood of Trowbridge's economy'.

He wrote: "The multi-storey car park was constructed in 1974 with a 99-year free car parking covenant placed on it, for the benefit of businesses and the general population of Trowbridge, which by all accounts has another 54 years to run.

"The multi-storey holds 475 free car parking spaces, which are free at use for all residents in Trowbridge. The covenant was put in place for the people of Trowbridge, and to boost trade in the town centre."

This view was shared by Cllr Edward Kirk, who took to social media to say that he could 'see no sense in totally demolishing the multi-storey car park removing free parking from visitors and workers'.

"It should be disclosed within our submission, that the multi-storey is protected by a covenant to provide free car parking," he added.

"The benefit of free parking is obvious to me and all other small business owners, supermarkets, and the out of Town shopping centres.

"Therefore, my solution is a simple one, respect the covenant and its promise of free parking, either within the proposal or perhaps Wiltshire Council could donate 475 of their staff car parking spaces."