MELKSHAM without Parish Council is to be presented with an award at County Hall, Trowbridge.

The council is the first in Wiltshire to gain a quality status award, where town and parish councils have to meet strict guidelines set out by the government, demonstrating a benchmark level of competence.

The scheme was introduced to give the tier of government closest to people with greater ownership of community functions and services and to encourage them to give more effective leadership.

The award will be presented on February 10.