ALL of Wiltshire's heritage services will be under one roof at the new Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office in Chippenham.

Wiltshire County Council's cabinet has agreed that the new building will not only include the county's records but also five other heritage services the local studies library, the archaeology service, Wiltshire buildings record, museum service and the conservation service.

The new building is planned to store records in the best conditions.

The public, schools, colleges and people researching their family history will be able to use the record office.

County council leader, Coun Jane Scott (Con, Kington), said: "This is by far the best option open to the county council. We can now get on with the job of actually building it."

The office will cost £11.6 million, £800,000 less than earlier plans submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Wiltshire County Council will contribute £8.85 million towards the cost of the project and Swindon Council £2.75 million.

Swindon's share was originally due to be about £1.5 million, and Wiltshire's about £5million, but the National Lottery's Heritage Fund turned down a £5m bid towards the project.

The county council will now seek formal planning permission for the new building with a view to starting work in 2005 and opening in financial year 2007/08.