Ref. 28016-07A SIGN claimed to be on the wrong side of the Swindon border has sparked fears the town will swallow more of North Wiltshire.

The notice, which is just off the roundabout of junction 16 on the M4, informs drivers they are entering the borough of Swindon.

But Wiltshire County councillor Mollie Groom claims that the sign is 200 ft off the mark, and is in the parish of Lydiard Tregoze in Wiltshire.

The North Wiltshire Local Plan 2011 shows that, when coming from the direction of the M4, Swindon's boundary with the parish starts after the Hilton Hotel at the Windmill Hill business park.

But the sign is before the hotel.

Coun Groom claims it shows Swindon is trying to widen its borders and encroach on its neighbours.

She says Swindon wants to incorporate the area of the Hilton Hotel and Lydiard Fields commercial park into its Principal Urban Area under the Swindon and Wiltshire Structure Plan 2016.

The Tory councillor for Wootton Bassett North said the sign is misleading and should be removed.

"It is so audacious. They want that area of land for Swindon but it is actually a part of North Wiltshire," she said.

"Swindon Council has plonked the sign in the wrong place.

"Swindon is pre-empting the outcome of the structure plan. The consultation is still ongoing."

Lydiard Tregoze parish council chairman Geoff Yates said: "This sign is in our parish. It should be further up. "I contacted Wiltshire County Council and it says that the grass verge is in Swindon and the hotel in Lydiard Tregoze. I think that is absolute garbage."

He claimed that there is a history of Swindon encroaching on its neighbours.

"In the past, the parish used to stretch all the way down to Mannington. Over the years, there has been a gradual erosion of our borders with Swindon expanding into North Wilts."

The consultation period for the structure plan runs until Monday.

Tom Pepperall is chairman of Lydiard Millicent parish council and understands the concern from his neighbouring parish about being swallowed by Swindon.

He said: "The sign shouldn't be there, Swindon Council is hundreds of yards away.

"We are well aware of Swindon wanting to take Lydiard Millicent over as well.

"We are aware of what is going on and want to make our voices heard."

Gavin Calthrop, spokesman for Swindon Council, said: "Swindon Borough Council can confirm that the sign is a replacement for one that was knocked down by a vehicle. It has been replaced in exactly the same position as before, on Swindon Borough land."

Bhavani Vadde