PLANS for a £10m national archaeological centre in Warminster have received an enthusiastic welcome from regional businesses.

Outline proposals, being used to attract funds for the scheme, were presented to Westbury and Warminster Chambers of Commerce last week and given the thumbs up.

John Agate, president of the Warminster chamber, said: "It really would be awesome. It's a very exciting project and would certainly be a coup for the town and the county."

The people behind the scheme are now applying for funds to carry out a feasibility study into the idea, which would incorporate a major tourist attraction with an education and training role.

They believe that putting a national centre in Warminster at the heart of the country's most important and diverse archaeological region would attract thousands of visitors each year.

Richard Kaskow is a member of the six-man steering committee behind the scheme and the person who came up with the idea.

He said: "We certainly think it's one of the best areas for archaeology in the country, spanning more than 3,000 years."

He added that the growing popularity of TV archaeology programmes such as Time Team as well as the proximity of heritage sites at Bath and Stonehenge would make it a popular venture.

Several possible sites for the centre including one next to the town's railway station have been identified and the centre could be open within three years if it gains funding and planning permission.

The committee, set up by community group Action for Warminster, will unveil a detailed business plan later this year.

It is hoping to attract major financial backing from businesses to build the centre estimated at up to £10m which would then be self-financing.

Other members of the committee include archaeologist Michael Heaton, Warminster major Chris March and businessman Stephen Morgan.

The group is looking to win funds for the feasibility study from the Sustain the Plain initiative.

This recently received £2.4m from the EU, the Government and other bodies to develop schemes in towns near Salisbury Plain.