SOUTH Swindon Parish Council has been accredited as a living wage employer.

The council, based at Broadgreen Community Centre, won the accolade the Living Wage Foundation.

It means all parish employees will be paid the "real" living wage of at least £8.75 an hour.

Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation said: “We welcome South Swindon Parish Council to the Living Wage movement as an accredited employer. Responsible employers across the UK are voluntarily signing up to pay the real Living Wage now, which reflects the real cost of living."

South Swindon is one of only 11 parish councils in the country that have received this accreditation and the first in Wiltshire.

Coun Chris Watts, chairman of South Swindon Parish Council, said: "I am very pleased that the parish council has received this accreditation.

"It shows that the parish council are a responsible employer and that it is important to them to look after staff and ensure that a fair wage is paid."

After the council's break for August, the parish's planning and leisure committees will meet on September 4.