WILTSHIRE County Council has done a u-turn over where to build a new Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office, abandoning its proposed move from Trowbridge to Devizes.

Instead, the council has chosen to back Chippenham as its preferred location for the new Record Office after being told the Heritage Lottery Fund has changed its criteria for funding.

Councillors were told proximity to other heritage organisations was now less important while ease of access, and cooperation with educational establishments has greater weight.

Cllr Peter Chalke, leader of the council, said: "The council has to be practical. It has to protect the county's heritage, and it has to ensure that the collection is not split up or taken away."

The council acknowledged there were still access problems with Chippenham.

Glyn Bridges, vice chairman of Trowbridge Civic Society, who is one of the campaigners trying to keep the record office in Trowbridge said: "Placing the Record Office in Chippenham will not increase access or usage."

The new bid for lottery funding is not expected to be made until the end of the year.