TRADE on Wootton Bassett High Street is being strangled by all day parkers, says a business group.

Every morning commuters, who catch buses into Swindon, and supermarket staff, who work nearby, gobble up all the available free places.

That means shoppers who visit the town struggle to park for free, so instead go to Swindon to shop.

Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce champions the High Street and the services it offers shoppers.

But it says the town is being let down by North Wiltshire District Council's parking policies.

"The people governing us don't have any concept of our problems nor are they interested," said Jonathan Loader, president of the Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce.

"There are shops in our High Street which I know are down to taking £20 a day. We are a pop-and- shop town.

"But because of the parking situation people can't do that, so they just go elsewhere.

"No other town in North Wiltshire is as subservient to Swindon as we are.

"And we are constantly told by people at the district council that Wootton Bassett can't be seen as a special case.

"But I want to know why not? We have a unique problem in North Wiltshire. Name me another town in North Wiltshire whose High Street is completely free parking seven days a week. There isn't one.

"As a chamber we want to see two hours free parking on the High Street during trading and a sensibly priced, and affordable, traders' parking permit scheme.

"We need a sensible solution to our problems."

Earlier this year North Wiltshire District Council began a consultation into possible changes to parking arrangements for the town's High Street.

That process is ongoing.

The council was unavailable for comment.

Mr Loader said: "Although we are fighting on this issue we do feel it is also important to shout about the positives in the High Street.

"The area is fantastic. You can get keys cut, shoes repaired and visit a watchmaker - all the sorts of things that you struggle to do in one place in big towns like Swindon."