THE Museum and Heritage Centre will remain a free attraction according to Chippenham Town Council despite warnings from the Museum Association this week.

Museum Association president David Fleming has warned that council-funded museums and galleries across the UK were now considering scrapping free entry and re-introducing charging to offset budget pressures.

However, Coun Sylvia Gibson, chairman of the council’s amenities, culture and leisure committee, said the town council remained committed to keeping museum entry free.

She said: “The council is clear that it fully supports our museum and the wonderful service it provides, residents and visitors will continue to be able to visit free of charge.”

“Chippenham’s museum and heritage centre is an excellent facility for the town and provides a high quality, much valued service that is used by thousands of people each year.

“The museum also works closely with our young residents through our schools outreach programme which provides a valuable educational service to the town’s children.”

Chippenham Town Council provides and runs the Market Place museum which attracts around 24,000 visitors a year with a further 14,000 using the education and outreach service.

Central government has pledged to protect free entry at national museums such as the British Museum, Tate and National Gallery which it funds directly but that promise does not cover council-funded venues.