THOUSANDS of pounds could be spent on clearing up a ghetto area of Melksham in a bid to draw back vital trade to the town.

Town officials believe the unkempt areas around Bradford Road and Old Broughton Road are starting to frighten away trade, adversely affecting the town's fragile economy.

Mayor Vic Oakman said up to £17,000 would be needed to renovate the area by cleaning up weeds, removing concrete islands and planting trees and shrubs.

Termed as one of the main gateways into the town centre, Cllr Oakman said the area has been neglected for years with unsightly buildings and overgrown paths creating a bad image for Melksham.

He said: "People need to think Melksham is a vibrant town, not a ghetto. We desperately want to tidy up the area and get something done.

"It is a run down area which does not encourage anyone to come into the town.

"We want to do something in the middle of the roundabout on Bath Road, like the mounds and plaques on the Paxcroft Mead estate in Trowbridge.

"If money is not spent we could end up with a ghetto area with shops boarded up. We have to encourage a thriving retail atmosphere."

The town council are already deciding with other agencies how to spend a £50,000 grant from the Regional Development Agency in the town.

Money could also come from the Five Towns Partnership and town council budget.

Problems at the north end of the town were compounded when crippling roadworks closed Bath Road to traffic, causing some businesses to lose up to 80 per cent of their trade.

Peter Baldwin, who runs the Roundabout garage and MOT centre on Old Broughton Road, said the town centre was always given the priority in the past.

He said: "I think the whole area looks dilapidated and run down. The central reservation alongside the garage is a disgrace.

"We have 85 businesses at this end of town and we are still not considered a priority. If improvements are made people will realise the town centre is bigger than they think."