THIS is how the High Court petition to order a recount of Highworth's ballots began.

The Democracy for Highworth campaign formed during a public meeting held at the Highworth Community Centre and attended by more than 60 people.

Outraged voters promised to "fight tooth and nail" to get fix the mistake.

The original plan involved going to the High Court first to make a case for the ballots to be recounted and then carrying out the recount before returning to the High Court to approve the results.

Solicitors found a quicker and more efficient method which saw the recount take place over the course of an hour at Swindon Magistrates Court with councillors and candidates looking on, then going to the High Court for the results to be rubber-stamped.

While this was being arranged, Highworth councillors took their seats and held meetings while knowing there was a good chance that not everyone on the town council should be there.