Plans to split Wallingford into two for local government elections have been branded "divisive" by town councillors.

The Local Government Commission for England (LGC) has proposed splitting the town into Wallingford North, and Cholsey & Wallingford South.

People living in the latter ward would only have a choice of three town councillors at parish elections, compared with 13 for people in Wallingford North.

At South Oxfordshire District Council elections they would have to vote for district councillors standing for Cholsey & Wallingford South, which includes Moulsford, rather than councillors representing Wallingford alone.

Town councillor Patricia Granados said: "This will be highly divisive. It fails to acknowledge that we are a town and have been for more than 1,000 years."

The LGC wants to split the town to ensure a similar level of representation across the district. But Wallingford town clerk Andrew Rogers is to ask the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions not to implement the split.

A final decision is expected after consultations end on September 18.