A FILM recording Marlborough's 800th charter anniversary celebrations could become available if sponsors can be found to defray production costs.

One idea put forward by the Mayor Coun Graham Francis to raise the £6,000 needed, is for each business in the town to contribute £100.

However, a number of the town's businesses were less than happy after losing trade when the town was closed to through traffic for the celebrations in June.

A locally based film unit called Eh! Communications Ltd recorded all of the anniversary events including the visit of Prince Charles, the first royal visit to the town for more than 50 years.

Coun Francis said: "They have seven hours of video shots ranging from the erection of the Victorian Fair right through the royal visit to the re-enactment of the Civil War.

"This has been done entirely free of charge as a public gesture to preserve the celebrations on film for all time.

"The problem now arises as to how to condense this material into a 90-minute DVD."

Coun Francis said Eh! Communications was prepared to select and edit the film and add background music and commentary to produce a DVD complete with a commemorative cover.

The cost is likely to be in the region of £6,000, but the 2004 Committee, set up four years ago to mastermind the celebrations, did not allow for this expenditure.

Coun Francis said: "While some of this money could be recovered through retail sales, we desperately need some way of raising the initial capital.

"One suggestion that has been made to me is to ask local traders, businesses, restaurants and hotels if they would each like to donate £100.

"In return they would have their names recorded on the credit titles and receive two free copies of the DVD."

The mayor said he would welcome any other suggestion of how the cash might be raised. He said: "I think this is such an important event in Marlborough's history that it should be preserved."

Any suggestions or offers of sponsorship should be forwarded to the civic secretary Jonathan Mansfield at the town council offices, 5 High Street, Marlborough SN8 1AA.