A former west Wiltshire mayor who is standing in next week’s Wiltshire Council elections was rushed to hospital suffering from bleeding on the brain after collapsing on Tuesday.

Warminster town councillor, Veronica Burden, 66, who is standing for the Westbury West seat, remains at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol in a stable condition. Her husband Tony, of Norton Bavant, said his wife was determined to stand for election despite her illness.

“Veronica said yesterday that she is still going ahead with the elections,” he said.

“She has never stopped campaigning; this has been her life.

“No matter what she gets involved in she puts every bit of effort she has in it.

“I suppose it might have something to do with her falling ill.

“She is talking, not very well, but then she is weak"

Cllr Burden, 66, had returned to her friend’s home in Bristol after visiting the city zoo when she fell ill.

Mr Burden added: “They don’t know if she will have to have an operation. They are hopeful they will find something small and she will be okay."

Cllr Burden teaches health studies at Wiltshire College Trowbridge one day a week as well as being a member of Mencap and Gateway charities.

Current mayor Tony Nicklin, who took over from Cllr Burden on May 18, has been in regular contact with Frenchay Hospital to check on her condition.

"The hospital has said that there is no reason why Veronica shouldn't return back to her normal duties very soon," he said.

"She needs a short period of convalescence.

"Meanwhile her fellow candidates will be rallying round to help her during the course of this next week leading up to the elections."

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