THE role of businesses in breathing new life into market towns like Highworth and Wootton Bassett will be under the spotlight at a forthcoming meeting.

The main aim of the event, which is being run by the Wilt-shire Market Towns Partnership, is to bring together groups, individuals and organisations that either are, or would like to be, involved in the regeneration of market towns across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The partnership is looking at 20 towns and villages across the county with a population of between 2,000 and 20,000 people, including Wootton Bassett, High- worth and Wroughton.

Partnership manager Nicki Coyne said: "Wiltshire's market town partnerships have a lot of great ideas individually.

"The aim of this event is to bring these together to share information and ideas.

"We arranged for lots of organisations from around the area to be present and share their experiences as well."

The partnership has already brought in some organisations which can support market towns and help them plan activities.

There will also be taster sessions of training and details of seminar programmes that the partnership can offer during the coming year.

The event is an opportunity for people to share best practice from around the county and the south west as a whole and to see what resources or services are available.

"This event will provide a great opportunity for businesses to engage with local communities, parish and town councils," said Ms Coyne.

"We are looking to create sustainable communities and develop them so that they provide all the needs of the local population and the surrounding villages rather than having to travel to the larger towns.

"We urge anyone who is involved in the regeneration of the towns in Wiltshire to come along and share ideas."

The meeting is taking place on January 29 at the Corn Exchange in Devizes from 10am to 3.15pm.

Those interested in attending should call Nicki Coyne on 01225 757587 or e-mail nickicoyne@wiltshire.gov.uk by January 22.