METAL detectors cannot be used on Marlborough Common, councillors have decided after receiving an approach from a local enthusiast.

Paul Fern, of St Margarets Mead, Marlborough, who is a keen metal detector user, asked the council for permission to search The Common, parks and grass areas it owns.

In his letter to the council, Mr Fern said he had taken out groups from Pewsey Vale School to help them learn more about "the past beneath their feet".

He said he had also helped archaeologists on digs in Swindon.

Coun Stewart Dobson said the council frequently received such requests. "We have always had a policy of saying 'no' otherwise it could generate problems," he said.

He said there was a problem a few years ago with a couple of old bottle dumps in the town with enthusiasts coming from as far away as the North of England to search for old bottles.

Coun Maurice Cooper said the problem was that if the council allowed one person to search its land then other people would assume they could do the same. He said: "It could open up a whole can of worms."