MALMESBURY Abbey is appealing against the removal of its Millennium cross.

In October North Wiltshire District Council turned down an application to retain the cross. The three-metre high £1,000 structure was paid for by the abbey and was given planning permission for a year. At the parochial church council last week, 24 members voted to appeal.

At the planning meeting in October Coun Michael Hatton had suggested the abbey and its architects come back with a design that was satisfactory to all.

The civic trust and English Heritage have opposed the retention of the cross, but the Malmesbury branch of the Royal British Legion has come out in support.

The civic trust said the cross was not of sufficient quality and would set a poor precedent.

The United Reformed Church in Malmesbury has come out in support of retaining the cross.

Tom Williams, secretary to the elders of the church, wrote: "This significant message which the cross highlights should not be diluted nor should it be obscured for the sake of compliance with secular dicta. It should be applauded as its presence proclaims that the Christian message is very much alive and thriving in this place."

The vicar of Malmesbury Abbey Rev David Littlefair said: "When I walk around the town people have been stopping me all over the place saying we have to keep the cross"

The cross was made of the finest English oak by Steve Gray, who works in Malmesbury.

"The attachment has also been made by a master farrier Andrew Poynton, who runs the town forge in Malmesbury."