TWO families ensured the traditional Marlborough beating the bounds went ahead at the weekend even though the mayor Maurice Cooper had cancelled the official walk around the borough boundary.

The 21 walkers who completed the 12-mile walk received a certificate prepared by the organisers Rob and Angela Dickens and Alan and Lyn Gould.

The families decided there should be an unofficial beating the bounds after the Millennium walk was cancelled due to a lack of interest in recent years, and because of the difficulty in getting sufficient stewards to marshal the event, particularly the main road crossings.

Coun Cooper suggested to town councillors that more interest might be generated in the walk if it was to be held every two or three years. He said it might be easier to raise enough volunteers to safely marshal the walkers.

Mr and Mrs Gould, of North View Place, and Mr and Mrs Dickens, of Rogers Meadow, said it would be a shame to let the event drop even for one year, and they decided to organise their own walk. They said afterwards they were disappointed no councillors turned up to give their support.

Phillip Gould, ten, raised £80 in sponsorship for the Millennium playground appeal at St Peter's Junior School.