A well supplying water to residents and horses in Melksham until 1947 may be unearthed and transformed into a drinking fountain as part of changes being made to Market Place.

To accommodate the town’s new campus the area will be redeveloped and an exhibition has been set up in Melksham Town Hall, inviting residents to give their views on the £800,000 investment from Wiltshire Council.

One of the main changes is that the area in front of the town hall will become pedestrianised. People will be able to use it as a place to meet for social, leisure and community activities and the weekly market will also use the space.

There will also be the addition of the Melksham Campus access road to link from Spa Road Roundabout, which will be moved slightly.

The new road will include an informal pedestrian crossing and a raised section to slow traffic.

There will still be a taxi rank, disabled parking and loading bays and new footpaths will be made and the current ones improved.

It is hoped the proposals will enhance and preserve the historic character and appearance of the town also using heritage-style furniture.

With additional funding, architectural features such as the well chamber underneath the car park will be transformed into a pillar with drinking water; a ramp will be created to provide access to the town hall and lights installed to illuminate the town hall in the evening.

Construction is planned to start in September this year. The exhibition will be in the Town Hall until February 1 and feedback will be reviewed by the Melksham Market Place Working Group.