CAMPAIGNERS pressing the case for the restoration of Lydiard Park say Swindon Council's reluctance to commit to the project is because the ghost of Steam still haunts them.

Steam opened amid a fanfare of pomp and ceremony in 2000, but taxpayers are still subsidising the Great Western Railway museum to the tune of £500,000 a year after a series of crises and they are frightened history will repeat itself with Lydiard, according Swindon Chamber chief executive Dennis Grant.

Mr Grant, who represents Swin-don's business community, said: "The ghost of Steam is still haunting the council they're not being mean spirited, just naturally wary.

"Lydiard Park is important for the whole of the town. If all parties get involved and get round the table then I think we will find a solution, but the council is concerned they don't have the money to fund it in the long-term, but if the council and the business community don't work together then it will fail."

Those who want to see the authority get on board the restoration project say it would be an opportunity missed if they pull out.

The council's decision-making cabinet is due to make a decision on Wednesday but meanwhile frantic negotiations are underway between council officials, the business community, English Heritage and South Swindon MP Julia Drown.

To date council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) has played down speculation the authority could pull the plug on the £5.5 million project.

But it is widely known the council has limited funds to pump into restoration work likely to cost it an initial £500,000 and a further £2.5 million over five years.

Key players like English Heritage and the Lottery Commission have made contact with the council and the business community is trying to find a package that would help relieve some of the financial burden.

The bid to restore the gardens and grounds of the Georgian house started last year after West Swindon company Innogy got on board with a sizeable donation towards a feasibility study.

Part of the project involves restoring the 18th-century vegetable garden and lake, the banks of which collapsed in 1911.

Coun Bawden said: "Discussions are continuing with all parties and there will be a decision on Wednesday." (Sept 24)

Around 300,000 use the grounds of Lydiard Park each year to walk their dogs, picnic with families and marvel at the manicured lawns.

South Swindon MP and Lydiard supporter, Julia Drown, said: "It would be an opportunity missed if we failed to go ahead we could be on the map and to loose out would be tragic. This is the jewel in Swindon's crown and I hope by the time of the cabinet meeting the case for Lydiard is going to be overwhelming."

The cabinet meeting starts at 2.30pm in the Civic Offices in Euclid Street and is open to the public. Call 01793 463000 for more details.