JAZZ festival chairman Brian Ashley was the only town council candidate to fall by the wayside.

Mr Ashley had stood down as a Kennet district councillor for the Pewsey Vale seat to seek election to the town council in Marlborough where he lives.

He was the unlucky candidate who finished in ninth place for the eight seats in the town's contested east ward.

Surprisingly Mr Ashley, an Independent, did not ask for a recount because he finished just three votes short of Tory new boy Tony Spranger, a retired bookshop owner.

Eight of the 16 former town councillors stood down this year, leaving a contest only in the east ward.

In the west ward newcomers Guy Loosmore (C), Stan Radnedge (C), Anthony Sycamore (Marlborough First) and Richard Pitts (LD) were elected uncontested together with retiring members Stewart Dobson (C), Mayor Bryan Castle (LD), Nick Fogg (Marlborough First) and Marian Hannaford-Dobson (C) In the east ward ex-mayoress Edwina Fogg (Marlborough First) topped the poll to join husband Nick on the council. Two former councillors won a return, Robin Notton and Margaret Rose. East ward voting was Brian Ashley (uncontested) 384, Peggy Dow (LD) 542, Edwina Fogg (Marlborough First) 609, Graham Francis (LD) 390; Alexander Kirk Wilson (LD) 395 Robin Notton (C) 474, Margaret Rose (C) 424, Andrew Ross (Ind) 463, Tony Spranger (C) 387.