14275/1LAST year's Mayor of Marlborough Bill Cavill has found himself at the centre of a colour row.

It's because his photograph that appears in a gallery of former mayors in the town hall council chamber is the only one in colour. All the other pictures of civic leaders going back to the 1862 are in black and white.

On Monday town councillors spent more than 15 minutes discussing whether Coun Cavill's colour photograph should be allowed to stay.

He fuelled the debate by refusing requests to replace it with a monochrome photograph.

Coun Marian Hannaford opened the discussion, saying: "I very much feel that if you join an organisation you generally adhere to the laws that organisation has in place." Marlborough, she said, was a traditional town and tradition should be followed.

Coun Stewart Dobson, who has been a councillor for about 35 years, said it was a splendid photograph of Coun Cavill but said it should be replaced in traditional black and white.

One of the latest intake of councillors, Coun Mel Curtis, agreed it was a splendid photograph, adding: "As the youngest member of this council I believe it is time for change."

Mayor Graham Francis told his colleagues they had more important things to discuss. He seconded a proposal from Coun Dobson that all photos should be in black and white but councillors voted 4-3 against it.

The issue is likely to be debated again at the next full council meeting on November 1.