THE National Trust has decided against establishing its new national headquarters in Chippenham and will move to Swindon instead.

The trust had discussed setting up its new headquarters in Chippenham because it wants to streamline its operation with one united head office.

On a visit to the west in May the trust's director general, Fiona Reynold, said Chippenham was a prime candidate.

Chippenham Mayor Barbie Dawson said it was a real blow for the town. "Chippenham is an ideal location for the HQ. To have an organisation such as the National Trust housed here would have been fantastic.

"Chippenham has good rail links and road links. I very disappointed."

Wiltshire County Councillor for Chippenham Town, district and town councillor Philip Allnatt said it was very disappointing.

By establishing a single central office that brings experts together under one roof the trust hopes to improve communications and provide an integrated service for staff and volunteers working at more than 600 sites open to the public.

Experts, who provide professional guidance on everything from furniture and farming to fundraising, are currently based at four offices in London, Cirencester, Westbury and Melksham.

The move to the new HQ is set to take place during 2003/2004 and the search for a permanent site in Swindon is under way. In the meantime a temporary office will be established in the town.

Mrs Reynolds said: "The new HQ will be a building that the trust can be proud of, which meets the needs of staff and uses the charity's resources most effectively, while demonstrating good environmental principles in the way it operates.

"The decision has been made as part of a wider organisational review of the charity's management structure the first major change for 33 years.

"The review is aimed at enabling the trust to deliver its core purposes better as the UK's leading conservation charity.''