FORMER abbey verger Bill Blake is set to stand for a seat on Malmesbury Town Council.

Mr Blake, who resigned as verger in January, wants to fill the vacancy left by James Beesley, who had to stand down because of work commitments.

He said it was a strong interest in Malmesbury and belief the town is not getting value for money that prompted him to stand.

"I don't think there is very good communication from the council. I don't think we are being consulted very much and the Sunday Market was an example of that," he said. "I think we need transparency and I would like to see what I can do to improve things."

The BNP has also announced it will be putting a councillor up for election.

The party's north Wiltshire chairman Mike Houseman said: "We cannot reveal the name of our candidate but I can say he is a local man."

Mr Blake said it was up to the BNP if it wanted to field a candidate. "We are a democracy. I have no problem with the BNP putting a candidate up."

North Wiltshire District Council can call an election if it receives ten letters supporting such a move. The town council was returned unelected when 13 candidates stood for 16 seats in the May election. The council co-opted three members.