YOUR SWINDON YOUR VERDICT: WHEN it comes to going out in the evening nearly two out of three Swindonians like to stay close to home.

Asked where they most like to go for a night out 62 per cent of people said Swindon.

No other towns got more than eight per cent of the votes.

Paul Studholme, a partner in Longs, The Apartment and The Brewers Arms in Wanborough, thinks the high figure reflects the variety of nights out that are on offer in Swindon.

"Swindon does have a lot to offer," he said. "The town centre caters for the younger crowd and, as that has developed, Old Town has got a bit nicer and a bit more relaxed.

"There are also the pubs in the outlying villages which are catering for a different crowd.

"There are more places for the 30-40 and 50-year-olds to go and enjoy too.

"A lot of pubs offer quality food and it is more of an experience."

Eight per cent of people favoured a night out in Bath and the same number liked going out in Bristol.

Five per cent preferred going out in Oxford and only one per cent travel to Cheltenham.

Other popular answers included London, rural areas, Reading, Marlborough, Cirencester and Birmingham.

But it was not all good news for Swindon. Several people said they liked to go out anywhere except Swindon.