SALISBURY is set to become a "cemetery with lights", unless more is done to encourage young people to live and work in the area, the president of the Salisbury and district chamber of commerce has warned.

In a letter published in the chamber's monthly newsletter, Andrew Hodder said Salisbury district council had only just woken up to the fact that the number of young people in the district had fallen by 23 per cent in the past ten years.

"They simply cannot afford to live here, as the appropriate jobs necessary to fund a house purchase are not available," said Mr Hodder.

"Soon we will end up with a city bereft of young people.

"Salisbury will just become a cemetery with lights.

"The economic policy of the district council must therefore be torn up."

Mr Hodder went on to highlight a number of problems surrounding the council's local search department.

He claimed some searches were taking more than 13 weeks and this was discouraging new businesses from expanding or setting up.

"The perception is that decisions go from one treacle pond to another, where delay is heaped upon delay," said Mr Hodder.

Responding to the criticisms, Kevin Wren, leader of the council, said he was very disappointed that the chamber had chosen to publish the letter. Mr Wren said: "The chamber blames the council for failing over many years to realise the economic difficulties of the district.

"If that is so, then the chamber has contributed to the situation we are in, because they have been consulted all along the way.

"The chamber also knows that we have amended our economic strategy recently, in the light of long-term trends.

"The decline in numbers of 20- to 29-year-olds mirrors the picture nationally.

"It is more to do with demographics than Salisbury's economic policy."

With regard to delays in dealing with local searches, Mr Wren said the chamber of commerce's criticisms were out of date, as the council was now dealing with searches within ten days.

He added: "The fact is that the council is an easy target.

"We welcome and learn from fair criticism but the chamber's statement is neither fair nor accurate.

"We have tried to build relationships with economic partners that recognise we all share a common goal and we are more likely to achieve that by co-operating and working together.

"It appears the chamber thinks there is more to be achieved by adopting a different approach."

Liz, of Fisherton Island, Salisbury, has been a volunteer with the Phil Groombridge-led rescue service since moving to the city five years ago. She runs the service's telephone helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, helps with Wildlife Rescue school tours and takes owls, polecats and other wild creatures on visits to sick children in hospital.

And she also writes the Journal's monthly On The Wildside column.

After receiving her award, a delighted Liz said: "I'm so thrilled to have won and can't quite believe it.

"It is just wonderful and I see it as recognition for the whole Wildlife Rescue team.

"We are a small group of volunteers, led from the front by Phil Groombridge, but I think our work is really appreciated by the public.

"The service has rescued a record number of animals this year and I am so happy to be helping out.

"It is very rewarding work."