The VOTERS of Stratton St Margaret and South Marston, at least those on Facebook, don't seem that enthused by the notion of a bid to acquire city status for Swindon.

Conservative councillor for the ward Russell Holland, who was the council's deputy leader until May put up a poll on the bid announced by the borough council's Conservative group on the community page he runs for residents.

He wrote: "I have my own personal views on this but as a Councillor I would like to know what everyone thinks."

So far the verdict is that people don't think much. Of 359 responses 263 which equals 73.2 per cent said no; 59 - 16.4 per cent - said yes and 37 - 10.3 per cent - said they would need more information to reach a decision.

One respondent Paul Eastham said: "Interested in what becoming a city would cost and the long term benefits. Are there valid comparisons and lessons with Preston when it became a city about 20 years ago?"

"There are some similarities in size, population and industrial background between Swindon and Preston.

"If anyone wants to moan about traffic, feel free to have a drive around in Preston and learn what bad really is."