MELKSHAM Without Parish Council have installed new benches in the Whitley and Bowerhill areas of the parish.

The cost has been met with a 50 per cent grant from Wiltshire Council's Melksham Area Board.

The council says the benches will help establish Melksham as an Age Friendly town, providing the opportunity for the less mobile residents to have a rest whilst out and about.

Parish clerk Teresa Strange said: "The parish consulted local resident action groups before installing two benches in Whitley opposite the Pear Tree at the bus stop and next to the adopted ‘phone box that is now used a book lending library, a chance to sit and browse.

"The Bowerhill Residents Action Group suggested three sites on routes from sheltered housing in Bowerhill to the Village Hall, with one outside the Fish and Chip shop in Kestrel Court, and one at Halifax Road outside the school and village hall."

The council is trying to find a suitable narrow bench to 'perch on' in the old bus shelter outside Ludlow Hewitt on Halifax Road.

It has also installed some replacement seats around the parish and new bins in the play areas.