Half of Marlborough town council's existing 16 members have decided not to seek re-election at next week's poll.

They include long-serving Manton member Maurice Cooper who was a member of the town council and its predecessor borough council.

Also retiring is David Parker, formerly a Kennet district councillor and one of the original campaigners for the town's swimming pool and leisure centre.

Bill Cavill, town and district councillor, is also calling it a day.

The others standing down are Richard Allen, Peter Cossey, Mel Curtis, Michael Gray and Caroline Jackson.

There has been some confusion for electors because four candidates, Stewart Dobson, Marian Hannaford-Dobson, Alex-ander Kirk Wilson and Robin Notton chose to stand in both wards although they can only be elected in one.

Mr Dobson - Marlborough's longest serving member - and his wife have since withdrawn from the east ward.

Mr Kirk Wilson and Mr Notton - a former councillor and mayor - have both withdrawn from the west ward.

This has resulted in no contest for the west ward with eight candidates for the eight seats.

They are: existing councillors Bryan Castle (LD), Stewart Dobson (C), Nicholas Fogg (Marlborough First) and Marian Hannaford-Dobson (C) and new candidates Guy Loosmore (C), Richard Pitts (LD), Stan Radnedge (C) and Anthony Sycamore (Marlborough First).

East ward electors will be voting to select eight councillors from nine candidates with four councillors seeking re-election, Peggy Dow (LD), Graham Francis (LD), Alexander Kirk-Wilson (LD) and Andrew Ross (C).

The other five candidates are Brian Ashley (Ind), Edwina Fogg (Marlborough First), Robin Notton (C), Margaret Rose (C) and Tony Spranger (C).

There will be only one polling station for Marlborough and Manton which will be at the Leisure Centre instead of at the town hall where polling has traditionally taken place.

n AT Pewsey just the north ward will be contested and there have been no political nominations.

Two councillors have retired, Alison Reed and Lee Grafton.

The candidates in the contested north ward are: existing councillors John Cooke, Alan Coxon, Caroline Dalrymple, Peter Deck, Jacqui Devine, Anne Hayhoe, Wendy Hughes, Pat Keers, Philip Stevens and Myles York plus new candidate John Reeves.

South ward candidates who will be returned unopposed are: existing councillors Alex Carder, Terence Eyles, Diana Hughes, Vincent Kimber, Richard Marshall, Peeps Nicol, Joe Thompson and Bon Woodward plus new candidates Marilyn Day, Hugh Pearson Gregory and Anne Stokes.

Polling will take place at the Bouverie Hall.