TOWN councillors in Marlborough say they are fed up with Devizes getting preferential treatment because it has greater voting power at Kennet, with eight votes compared to just four for Marlborough.

The subject was raised when Coun Marian Hannaford asked why shoppers in the centre of Devizes can park free with a disc while drivers in Marlborough have to pay 45p an hour for a pay and display ticket to park in the High Street central reservation.

In Devizes the kerbside disc parking scheme gives drivers 90 free minutes, soon to be extended to two hours.

Marlborough's mayor, Coun David Watson, who is also a Kennet member, said: "It's because there are more votes in Devizes than there are in Marlborough. That may be cynical but it is my view."

The disc parking scheme is due to be discontinued during the summer.

Coun Hilary Cripps, a town and district councillor, said: "The four district councillors from Marlborough do work extremely hard for the town but we are constantly outvoted by those from Devizes."

Coun Bill Cavill, who sits on both the town council and Kennet District Council, said: "The trouble is that with the Roundway councillor they have eight votes compared to our four. Devizes gets a tremendous lot of things we do not."

Councillors were also amazed to hear that the mayor of Devizes gets free parking while on official engagements although the mayor of Marlborough does not get the same privilege.

The Marlborough town councillors agreed to write to Mark Boden, the chief executive of Kennet District Council, to ask why Devizes was getting preferential treatment.