Chapmanslade Parish Council held a meeting to discuss the possibility of getting mains gas in the village last Thursday, with residents enthusiastic about the plans.

Kerry Jones, a resident and heating engineer, gave a presentation to the council about how many households would need to sign up to get the pipeline extended to the village.

He told the meeting that 59 residents would need to sign up before Wales and West Utilities will agree to the extension, with each required to pay a little over £3,000 for the connection.

Residents living away from the High Street would probably have to pay slightly more, with the total cost for each household likely to be in the region of £5,000.

Chairman of the parish council Philip Jefferson said: “Most residents rely on electricity, oil or bottled gas for their heating and cooking needs, all of which are expensive options at a time of rapidly rising fuel prices.

“£5,000 sounds a big investment, but we were advised that this might be clawed back over ten years, with savings coming from cheaper fuel and more modern and more efficient boilers.

“There was considerable enthusiasm in the meeting for the idea and the next step will be to ask all our residents if they wish to sign up.”

The mains gas pipeline currently passes within a mile of the village, following the line of the A36 from Bath towards Warminster, before branching off at Black Dog Farm and reaching the A3098 at Dead Maids.

Cllr Jefferson added: “To help residents reach a decision the parish council can provide them with the appropriate technical and financial information.”