THE latest attendance figures for the troubled Steam Museum should be greeted with a cautious welcome, according to the man charged with turning round the fortunes of the attraction.

Figures for June and July have just been released and revealed, that, despite the recent heat, the museum managed to pull 4,275 and 5,303 visitors for June and July respectively.

The figures came after it was revealed admission has been free every Friday, from July 25 for Swindon Card holders. It will continue to be free for card holders until August 29,

But John Taylor (Lab, Central), chairman of the Steam Task Group, which is charged with finding ways of bringing more people through the doors, said: "We've got to be careful here because there is a distinction between visitors and fee-paying visitors.

"I would cautiously welcome the figures and acknowledge the fact that the different programmes are doing well, but I remain concerned about income generation and continue to press for improvements.

"The task group is continuing to draw up its conclusions for a final report, which will be presented before cabinet on September 24."

Attendances are at 96 per cent of the target rate for this year, while strong advance bookings for school group visits, increased company hospitality bookings and a busy events programme for the autumn and winter, indicate the museum should achieve or break the 2003/04 target of 78,200.

The £13 million Church-ward museum, which opened amid a fanfare of pomp and ceremony in 2000, is costing taxpayers more than £500,000 a year, but visitor figures are still well down on the 200,000- a-year predicted.

One of the biggest criticisms of the museum was that it didn't actually do what its title suggested offer live steam. Last month the Advertiser revealed plans for a running track featuring a working steam engine were included in the preliminary plans, but dropped for fear of being too expensive.

Now live steam has been recognised as something that could turn the fortunes of the museum.

Editor of Heritage Railway Robin Jones and a string of observers from the world of museums, together with railway enthusiasts, have joined the debate and said that only live steam will help.

Car parking is another crucial area identified in the effort to draw visitors and entice the business community to use the facility.

People wanting to visit the museum have to use the Great Western Designer Outlet Village car park, which can be expensive.