MARLBOROUGH Town Council wants traders to help it in its battle against the closure of the tourist information centre.

The finance and general purposes committee was told on Monday that the Ombudsman is not prepared to take up the council's complaint of maladministration because it cannot pursue a complaint by one council against another.

The Ombudsman would only take action if approached by tourism-related businesses, like hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments, or traders, who have lost business as a result of the closure.

Although Kennet District Council insists that the plan to close the tourist information centre in George Lane car park, part of £1.2 million of budget savings, had been discussed by district councillors, including Marlborough members, the threat to the centre only came to light in a press release in July.

Kennet said it was planned to relocate a combined visitor and local information point in the library.

The revelation caused a huge outcry in the town, which relies heavily on tourism throughout the summer. Nearly 700 bookings were made for hotels and guest houses through the centre in 2002, compared to 248 at Devizes Visitor Centre and 199 at Avebury TIC.

The TIC closed at the beginning of October, before any alternative facilities could be set up at the library.

Among the businesses affected by the closure was the Castle and Ball Hotel in the High Street. Manageress Jackie Sheldon said: "Although it is off-season for us, we normally get a fair amount of last-minute business through the TIC. It certainly hasn't helped our business. "

Coun Michael Gray said he had written to the Ombudsman on behalf of the Merchant's House shop and museum.

Coun Stuart Dobson suggested the town council now asks all business people to do the same.

Founder of the town's local information point, Val Compton, has already begun a campaign to urge local businesses to complain to the Ombudsman.

She said: "I can give them all the information. I would like to hear from anyone affected by the closure."

Mrs Compton can be contacted on (01672) 511913 or e-mail her on val.compton@lineone.net

The town council is looking at the possibility of opening its own tourist information centre by renting the former TIC building in George Lane from Kennet.