Yet again I find I have to defend Trowbridge town councillors from a letter written by one of your readers.

I refer to the letter from Mr D Roberts headed "Some irrefutable points on town" (Wiltshire Times, December 7). It would appear Mr D Roberts has got his facts completely wrong. As town councillors, we do not get any allowances for work done in the parish of Trowbridge.

Over the last month I have attended at least three meetings per week, from one to three hours long. This weekend, I attended a training session in Westbury and the Older People's Christmas meal at the Trowbridge Civic Hall, total time in excess of 10 hours. This is free of charge to Trowbridge taxpayers. I work a 40-hour week at my paid employment, and appreciate all voluntary time given to council work is of my own choice. I'm sure you can understand why I am very annoyed by Mr Roberts' comments.

Mr Roberts is welcome to contact me or any other town councillor at any time to discuss this. I would willingly bring my diary to give a full breakdown of my time spent working for the people of Trowbridge. I am proud to be a councillor and resident of Trowbridge.

If Mr Roberts is not happy with the way things are done, may I suggest he stands for council in the forthcoming elections in 2003. We as Trowbridge Town Council welcome younger blood, as suggested by Mr Roberts.

This would bring in new ideas and keep things vibrant and moving forward, in an already energetic and committed council.

Steve Squires,

Chair Community Development,

Trowbridge Town Council.