PLANS to boost tourism in Marlborough by inviting classic car clubs to hold their rallies in the town have received a major setback.

Members of the town council's recreation and amenities committee on Monday vetoed spending £6,000 on a caravan chemical waste disposal point on The Common.

The idea of attracting classic car clubs to stage their rallies in the town has come from the Marlborough Area Development Trust.

Coun David Parker suggested that one way to boost tourism was to attract the classic car clubs to the town and invite them to hold their rallies on The Common. This would involve car club members bringing caravans or setting up tents on The Common.

For many years circuses and fairgrounds have used The Common and have had a problem of what to do with chemical waste from their caravan lavatories. Officially they are meant to take their waste away to disposal points at places like Membury services.

It is known, Coun Parker admitted, that some have been illicitly using a deep and dangerous manhole into a sewer on The Common.

He asked the council's architect and adviser Malcolm Ward to cost out the provision of a lockable disposal point and wash-out facility for use by people staying officially on The Common.

On Monday councillors were told the scheme could cost as much as £6,000 and would be subject to Thames Water agreeing to the water and sewer connections.

Coun Mel Curtis objected that The Common was intended for grazing of animals and enjoyment by local people. He said there was an adequate camping site at Postern Hill.

Coun Parker said that if car clubs were to be attracted to use The Common they expected to have facilities that met modern standards.

Coun Hilary Cripps was against the proposal saying: "This is the beginning of the end of the last piece of green space up there.

"I can see in five years time we will have toilets blocks, showers and tea rooms."

The committee voted by six votes to four against taking the idea any further although this recommendation can be overturned at the full council meeting on September 20.