Museum assistant Maria Bastin with one of the paintings Picture Ref: 77210-162SWINDON has been told it can keep a priceless collection of family portraits.

For years their future in the town has hung in the balance.

But Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of Lydiard House, has announced that the collection is to remain in Swindon.

The 11 portraits show members of the St John family, who owned the mansion for 500 years until they were forced to sell in 1943.

The portraits have been on loan from The De Morgan Foundation, an art foundation, since the early 1980s.

But there was always the threat that the treasures would be sold to a private collector.

Recently, the Govern-ment told the art foundation that it was willing to accept the paintings under its Acceptance in Lieu Scheme.

Instead, of paying a hefty tax bill bosses could hand over the paintings.

The offer was accepted and Estelle Morris, Minister for the Arts, agreed that Lydiard House could keep the collection.

Mrs Finch-Crisp, who declined to put a figure on the artwork, said: "There was the very real potential that these paintings could have been split up and snapped up by museums.

"I am absolutely delighted that Swindon has secured them.

"It is hard to value them but they're certainly worth several thousand each.

"It's more the historical value that we're interested in."

Lydiard House was sold to Swindon Council then called Swindon Corporation for £4,500. The package included 140 acres of stunning grounds.

The last family member, Vernon St John the sixth Viscount Bolingbroke had the house completely stripped of all fixtures and furnishings.

Since then, Swindon Council has pulled out all the stops to buy back the furniture and return the house to its original glory.

It's understood the portraits will continue to take pride of place in the mansion's seven State Rooms.

Two of the largest paintings show Henry and Angelica Magdalena St John the first Viscount and Viscountess wearing glorious coronation robes.

The collection also includes paintings of their children, Holles and Henrietta.

Mrs Finch-Crisp said: "They are very special paintings.

"They are part of the story of Lydiard Park.

"Each member of the St John family made an impact at this wonderful stately home.

"It would have been very upsetting if they had been taken from us.

"We are very lucky. Unlike many stately homes that have been furnished with art, most of ours is original.

"It has been a fantastic achievement by Swindon Borough Council."

Lydiard House is open between 10am and 5pm (Monday to Saturday) and 2pm and 5pm on Sundays.

For more details call 01793 770401.

Kevin Shoesmith