Artefacts donated to the Athelstan Museum by generations of local people could be disposed of by the district council, amid uncertainty over the future of Malmesbury town hall.

A cash-injection of £770,000 is needed to bring the hall into line with disability access law otherwise North Wiltshire District Council will put it on the market next March.

After rejecting a community proposal from the charitable body Centrex, executive members of the district council decided last month the Athelstan Museum would not be part of any future scheme for the town hall.

However town councillors fear the district council, as trustees of the museum, could dispose of the artefacts belonging to the community.

Coun Charles Vernon said at a council meeting on April 12: "It is clear the artefacts are held on trust.

"There are very few bought by the district council or the old borough council.

"Most of the artefacts relate to Malmesbury and I feel it would be very remiss to allow district councillors to dispose of them as they wish."

Coun Vernon proposed converting the area currently occupied by Wiltshire College and the Athelstan Museum into a self-contained unit, giving the council room to meet should the town hall be sold off, and retain the museum's artefacts at the same time.

The proposal could cost up to £100,000.

Town councillors agreed to seek legal advice on the situation.