THE WELCOME sign at the centre of a battle between two parishes looks set to remain exactly where it is.

Wootton Bassett Town Council put a sign welcoming visitors to the town on the Malmesbury Road.

Members of Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council say the sign is in its parish and asked Wootton Bassett to consider independent arbitration on the issue but Wootton Bassett Town Council has ruled that out.

Geoff Yates, chairman of Lydiard Tregoze parish council, said: "I am obviously disappointed they couldn't come up with a compromise.

"If they are not prepared to go to arbitration they must think they would lose.

"It's obvious that the sign is in our parish. They have accepted that and we have it in writing from them.

"This is not the first time we have had a problem with Wootton Bassett council. It's a bit of a David and Goliath situation.

"In 2000 the council put some boundary stones to commemorate the millennium.

"Two of them were in our parish without our permission and we managed to settle it amicably. Obviously this will have to go before our members at our next council meeting on November 8, and we will decide what to do then.

"I can make no comment on any action, if any, that might be taken by Lydiard Tregoze parish council until after that meeting."

Coun Chris Wannell, of Wootton Bassett Town Council, said: "The town council last night rejected arbitration.The signs were put up in accordance with the Highways Authority."

Although this dispute remains unresolved there is one point that representatives of the two councils are in complete agreement about.

Coun Wannell said: "Several of the Wootton Bassett councillors felt that this issue is petty and there are bigger things to deal with, such as Swindon encroaching to the West, towards both Wootton Bassett and the Lydiards."

Coun Yates said: "This is a storm in a teacup.'' compared with the planning proposals for our area."

David Andrew