THE chamber of commerce is at loggerheads with Marlborough town councillors who claim their flower tubs and sponsorship signs at the entrance to the town are an eyesore.

In strongly worded letter to the council, vice president Kevin Ellis said the chamber considered there are far more important issues councillors should be discussing than moans about the flower tubs.

The row started when town clerk Graham Gittins wrote to the chamber saying it was understood the tubs were only temporary and would be removed at the end of the season. The letter claimed they caused a distraction to motorists.

"The council has asked for the removal of these boxes and signs otherwise they will have to take the matter to Wiltshire Highways Authority."

The tubs were placed by the chamber at the main entrances into the town in Bath Road, Bay Bridges and Forest Hill. They contained seasonal flowers in the summer and have now been planted with winter flowering pansies.

They were criticised at a planning committee by Coun Bryan Castle who said the accompanying sponsorship signs were a distraction to motorists.

In his response, Mr Ellis said: "The chamber is disappointed by the remarks, especially as it seems to be the same core of councillors who try to knock the work of the chamber at every opportunity."

He said the chamber was adamant the boxes and signs would not be moved. He said the county council had approved the displays and told the chamber many towns and villages had similar sponsorship schemes.

Mr Ellis said as well as brightening up the entrances to the town, the floral displays helped remind motorists they were entering a community and should reduce their speed.

"I hope this closes the subject and we can now get on with matters of relevance to the prosperity of the town," he said.