COUNTRYSIDE voices could be swallowed up by urban concerns under planned election boundary changes, some rural areas fear.

The Boundary Commission is proposing Wiltshire County Council redraws its electoral divisions along the lines of population size rather than geographical area, so small rural communities would be merged with larger towns regardless of differing needs.

Following a working party meeting on Monday, the county council will discuss whether to oppose the plans at a special meeting in early April.

Under the proposals voters in Wylye Valley including Codford, Chitterne and Heytesbury would be merged with Warminster East.

Codford Parish Council chairman Romy Wyeth said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the urban voice will outweigh the rural voice.

"Countryside problems are different from town problems and each should have a different voice. If we are swallowed up by Warminster villagers like us will lose our voice."

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council said: "We understand that rural and urban areas have different needs and wherever possible we have tried to stress this but the decision is made by the Boundary Commission."