HUNDREDS of people in Melksham were due to go to the polls on Thursday in two town council by-elections amid rows over polling stations and council blunders.

People living in the Town and Roundpond wards were turning out to vote after the resignations of Kim Haste and Brian Francis through illness three months ago.

But nearly 600 people living in streets off Spa Road were incorrectly placed in the Town ward instead of neighbouring Woodrow in a boundary error and have been left ineligible to vote in yesterday's by-elections.

Affected streets include Daisy Close, Lavender Close and Longleaze Lane.

Young voter James Waldron, 24, of Heather Avenue is one of many young voters affected by the West Wiltshire District Council boundary blunder. He said: "I am disappointed I can't vote. This is my first chance as a homeowner to vote and I have been denied by a council mistake."

The error came to light during a detailed council review carried out before changes recommended by the Boundary Commission are due to be implemented.

A second row has surfaced over the closing of a polling station in Broughton Road.

Liberal Democrat representative Jackie Wells, who is bidding for a seat on the Roundpond ward, said many elderly residents were distraught at the thought of travelling to the next closest polling station at George Ward School, Shurnhold.

Cllr Terry Chivers, election agent, said: "I was shocked to learn what happened and I have already taken the matter up with the returning officer, who tells me this was done with the agreement of the town council, who are paying the bill. I am far from happy."

A spokesman for the district council, which is responsible for administering the two by-elections said: "It is standard practice to shut down certain polling stations for town elections.

"All voters had the chance to register for postal votes."

The by-election candidates in the Roundpond ward were: Gian Udin, of Methuen Close (Labour) and Jacqueline Wells, of Challeymead, Broughton Gifford (Lib Dem).

Candidates in the town ward were: John Adcock, of Forest Road (Labour), Christopher Petty, of Gloucester Square (Independent) and Paul Wiltshire, of Lansdown Close (Lib Dem).

The results will be in next week's Wiltshire Times.