A SWINDON councillor has called for action on prostitution.

Coun David Glaholm (Lab, Penhill) says it is time for a sensible debate about how to tackle vice including possibly setting up zones where the women could work the street legally. He has also hit out at Swindon Council for not responding to a Government consultation on the issue. "There is a real, serious problem out there that needs to be addressed," he said.

"Let's do it in a sensible way and stop pussyfooting around. I was sorry the council didn't respond to the consultation because then the issue could have been debated in an open forum." Coun Glaholm attended a conference about schemes where prostitutes are allowed to operate in specific areas. "Having listened to some of the people involved I am moving towards being in favour of them," he said.

"If we can emulate success stories from other places life becomes better." Managed zones were raised by Coun Michael Dickinson (Con, Central) in November. He put a motion to the full council but withdrew it because of lack of support from his party, which was the Lib Dems. He is now a Conservative. Coun Glaholm said he would support the motion if Coun Dickinson put it forward again.