PEOPLE in Marlborough have been urged to join in the fight to stop the water meadows at Stonebridge, to the east of the town, from being developed.

Town councillors want to apply for village green status for the area to save it in perpetuity.

Coun Margaret Boulton told Monday's meeting of the finance and general purposes committee: "We need to prove that the land has been used for recreational purposes for at least 20 years.

"We are asking anyone who has used the area for fishing, walking or any other kind of recreational activity to come forward and give their information to the town clerk."

She said: "It is not important that the town council owns the water meadows. They must be protected for ever."

National developer Barratt Homes has already made inquiries about building homes on Stonebridge Meadows.

But this plan has been strongly opposed by both the town council and Kennet District Council.

Anyone with information about recreational activity on the water meadows should contact town clerk Graham Gittins on (01672) 512487.