I see that Barrie Hudson, EA October 23, is offering odds that Swindon gets a casino after the first human sets foot on Mars.

I consider these odds are very generous, knowing the opposition to anything new, by this council and previous ones.

When they come to discuss this I can just imagine the shrieks of horror and long winded speeches about the perils of gambling, coming from councillors whose idea of gambling is half penny nap at their local club.

We all remember the fuss over the lap dancing club and how it was going to turn Swindon in to a town of sex and debauchery.

Councillors and vicars rushed to write letters to the Advertiser, of course none of these had ever stepped inside a lap dancing club in their life.

It has turned out to be a success and the premises are being extended, the killjoys were wrong again.

If Swindon does get a Las Vegas-type casino, perhaps a site could be found for it near Marlborough Road, that would give them something to moan about.

W NEWSON

Cricklade Road