A row has erupted over plans to give free tickets to Trowbridge Town councillors wishing to attend a Festival of Remembrance event on Friday.

The town councillors have each been offered free tickets while The Civic is charging ex-service veterans and their family members £12.50 per ticket.

The veterans and their families would also have to pay a non-refundable booking fee of £1.50 at checkout when they buy online.

The charge is the same whether veterans and other members of the public walk into The Civic or whether they turn up in a wheelchair.

Some councillors on the authority are calling for all council representatives to have to pay for the event.

Calls to charge councillors and non-working council officers the full entrance rate have been accepted by both Conservative and Liberal Democrat wings of the council.

The Wiltshire Times has attempted to contact Trowbridge RBL for a comment.

Lance Allan, the chief executive of Trowbridge Town Council, said: "The event is being organised in aid of charities and all proceeds will go to those charities, with opportunities for donations at the event.

"With spaces still available in the week of the event the opportunity to maximise the amount of money raised by the event, for the charities was taken, by offering spaces to members of the council who will be able to make donations."

So far, The Civic has sold 114 of the 300 seats available for the three-hour event on Friday evening (October 27).The Festival of Remembrance is being staged at the council-owned Civic Centre in partnership with the Trowbridge branch of the Royal British Legion.

Taking place from 7.30pm-10.30pm, the festival is intended to commemorate those servicemen and women from the UK and the Commonwealth who died in conflicts around the world in the service of their country.

It is being staged as part of the run-up to the national and local Remembrance Sunday Services taking place on Sunday, November 12.

On its website, the centre said: “The Civic is honoured to join with the Royal British Legion with a commemorative event dedicated to all those that have served and sacrificed from Britain and the Commonwealth.

“The Festival of Remembrance is a celebration of service, unity and camaraderie, reflecting the nation’s admiration for our Armed Forces. 

“The Civic is also proud to celebrate 2023 as the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters, 617 Squadron of the RAF.”

Featured performers include The Steeple Belles, The Warminster Military Wives Choir and The Salisbury City RBL Band.

All proceeds from ticket money will be donated to the charities involved, the RBL Poppy Appeal, Help for Heroes and the armed forces charity SSAFA.