Bath solicitor Sharon MacDonald is campaigning for a law to protect unmarried couples who split up.

The Withy King solicitor is backing a national bid by the Solicitors Family Law Assoc-iation, of which she is a member, to ensure legal rights for cohabiting couples.

She said: "It is widely acknowledged that the current law is inadequate. Many unmarried people believe they have legal rights in their relationship. In fact, they have few.

"The SFLA supports marriage as a strong basis for family life, but the law must keep in step with the way people choose to live their lives today."

The new law would enable cohabitants to apply through court for financial relief, and award maintenance on separation.

l BATHAMPTON and Ubley villages were awarded the district winners' prizes in the Village Of The Year competition sponsored by Calor Gas and The Daily Telegraph.

Bathampton won the B&NES large village category and Ubley won the small village category. Both received a certificate and £50.

Commemorative trees were given by the International Tree Foundation to representatives of the village for planting.

l BATHONIANS have been invited to contribute their opinions, anecdotes, poems and factual accounts of life in the city for a series of books about Bath.

Publishers Penhal-igon Page are planning a series of books which will give a contemporary and historical overview of Bath.

Contributions can be sent to: Avon in Words and Pictures, Penhal-igon Page, Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Woodston, Peterbor-ough, PE2 9JX. Closing date is December 5.