Mayor's Undie 500 fears

The Mayor of Marlborough is worried about rumours the Undie 500 student car rally may head to Blenheim.

The annual rally from Christchurch to Dunedin has been run by the Engineering Society at Canterbury University for around three decades. It was cancelled in 2008 due to alcohol-fuelled behaviour which led to furniture being set alight in the streets and rioting. However, over the last two years, unofficial rallies have taken place and last year, more than 60 people were arrested.

There is now talk of the event heading to Blenheim, but Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman says he is unlikely to support it.

"Not under the current format. I don';t think we';re prepared to take the risk of things going astray."

Mr Sowman says he is not even sure why the students want to come to Blenheim, as it is not a student town.

- NEWSTALK ZB