TOTE Bookmakers has lost its bid to open a betting shop in Calne's new shopping centre.

A petition signed by local residents opposed the opening of the new betting shop, and the application was thrown out by members of North Wiltshire District Council's area development control committee last week.

The petition, handed in at the meeting, claimed a betting shop would not fit in with Coun Eric Porter's Utopian prophecy of a better, brighter town centre.

Instead residents requested other retail stores should be chosen to take the new units, by the library in Calne High Street.

Coun Elizabeth Hitchens said the petition represented just a small fraction of the people who opposed the application.

Coun Tony Trotman said it would not be socially acceptable to have another bookmaker when one already operated from nearby Phelps Parade.

A report by district council planning officers recommended the application be refused.

Officers asked members to consider the vitality of the area and reported that the new development was intended to strengthen the retail base of the centre, and to re-establish links between High Street and the Church Street area.

Officers were worried a betting shop could undermine the retail character of the area.

But Coun Tudor Jones warned members not to be dismissive of the betting industry.

"The betting organisation must not be seen as tantamount to something that is almost pornographic," he said.

Actor David Hemmings, who helped organise the petition against the bookies, said he was delighted about the news.

"I am absolutely delighted that the council listens to the people," he said.

"We elected them and it is a wonderful thing that they listen to our voices. If they continue to do this we will have a better Calne."

Mr Hemmings said he wanted to see a clothes shop in the High Street, possibly a children and babies' store, and denied opposing the application because he did not approve of gambling.

"I am a betting man," he said. "I love horses, and I have nothing against betting shops, but it just wasn't what we needed."