TOWN councillors in Marlborough have turned down a suggestion that they should pay for a new fence at the St John's Close allotments.

There are seven allotments in the centre of St John's Close, five of which are owned by the town council.

Some tenants had asked for an old chestnut paling fence that once surrounded the gardens to be replaced.

But members of the recreation and amenities committee on Monday were concerned that not all the allotments were owned by the council.

One suggestion was that the two private allotment holders should be asked to pay one-seventh each towards the cost of a new fence.

However, Coun David Parker said he could see no need for a fence and, if the council did provide one, it would also have to maintain it.

Coun Richard Allen said the income from the allotments was too low to justify the cost of a fence.

Town clerk Graham Gittins told councillors that, while the council had a duty to provide allotments, there was no obligation to fence them. It was agreed to take no action on the request.