SOLICITOR Rob Collins, the new president of Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, says he wants to increase the number of members.

Mr Collins, who works with the Withy-King practice in Marlborough, took over as president from Phil Marsh at the chamber's annual meeting on Thursday.

He said: "The most important thing now is that we get the membership up. We have to get more people interested in the chamber and we need more retailers to join."

Mr Collins took over from car valeting supplies wholesaler Mr Marsh, who had been the acting president.

Mr Marsh said the highlight of the year had been the traditional Christmas Fair organised by the Marlborough Community Partnership, which had attracted an estimated 10,000 visitors to the town.

Guest speakers were Stefan Barbaruk, who spoke about the Wessex Chamber of Commerce and Gazette journalist Nigel Kerton, who talked about almost four decades of change on the shopping scene in Marlborough.

Mr Marsh presented secretary Susan Rasey with a bouquet for her work.