WILTSHIRE Heritage Museum in Devizes says it may have to cut its services because its grant from Kennet District Council is to be slashed by £5,000.

Bill Parry, chairman of Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, which owns and runs the museum, said he and his fellow board members are looking at other ways to make good the deficit but if they cannot they may have to look for economies in their budgets.

The museum boasts the best collection of Bronze Age artefacts outside London and its efforts to put as many of them on display as possible could be affected by the grant cut.

The collection was one of the first to be given "designated" status by the Government.

Mr Parry said: "We were disappointed and concerned at Kennet District Council's proposal to cut its annual grant to the Wiltshire Heritage Museum by £5,000.

"It is a constant struggle to meet the cost of running a museum with a designated collection and to maintain our Grade II-listed buildings.

"The cut runs counter to the council's declared commitment to supporting cultural facilities in the community area and to attract visitors to the district.

"Last year the museum was open almost every day of the year. We had 20,000 visitors, including 5,000 children, and provided opportunities for volunteers from all sections of the community to be involved in the running of the museum and its events.

"We should not forget, however, that the council is still planning to give the museum £11,000 next year and we are most appreciative for this, albeit reduced, support."

Nigel Carter, Tony Duck and Jeff Ody, who represent the Devizes Guardians on Kennet District Council, have pledged the 50 per cent increase in basic allowances they were recently awarded as councillors to the museum to help make up part of the lost funding. But this will still leave the museum about £1,500 down on the deal.

The museum grant was one of several cut by Kennet because the council is in dire financial straits because of the very poor support grant settlement is has received from the Government over the last four years.