FURIOUS councillors in Melksham have criticised a newspaper's Christmas advertisement feature, which labelled the town as having a problem with violent, drunken yobs.
Commissioned by the Five Towns Initiative and put together by staff at The Chronicle newspaper in Bath and West Wilts Advertiser in Trowbridge, the advertisement was blasted by councillors at a meeting on Monday.
Cllr Sarah Cardy said the town council should refuse to pay the £125 bill.
She said: "They took bits of news about drink-related violence which is not accurate and not true. It implies every weekend we are having a brawl in the streets.
"It is not appropriate for an advertisement campaign."
Cllr Davina Griffin said the advertisement would not attract shoppers to Melksham.
She said: "I cannot believe they thought it would be beneficial to Melksham."
John McCready, deputy editor of The Chronicle, declined to comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article