CALNE Chamber of Commerce members will decide whether or not to join the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce next month.

Calne is currently the only chamber in north Wiltshire which has not joined the association.

A spokesman for the Calne chamber said: "The benefits of membership are considerable. We would have representation on the Wessex Board of management, and therefore be in a position to exert greater influence on events and decisions at district, county and national levels.

"This is particularly important at a time when decisions are being made which will have a long-term effect on the future of north Wiltshire and Calne in particular.

"Our members will have the benefit of training courses, export assistance, market research and networking throughout the region," he said.

"We will continue to run our own chamber, so we retain our own local identity. We will retain our own president, secretary, treasurer and committee, run our regular lunches and functions, to which other Wessex members will be welcome, and we can join business and social events being run by other member chambers," the spokesman added.

Members will be asked if they want to join the Wessex Association at the annual meeting and lunch at the White Hart Hotel on April 5, 12.30pm.

Other items on the agenda are the appointment of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and committee members.