CONSULTANTS will put Trowbridge Museum under the microscope as part of an ongoing bid to find a future use for the Town Hall, home of the town's former magistrates' court.

Trowbridge town councillors want a team of consultants to look at the logistics, costs, and potential pitfalls of switching the Shires-based museum into the historic building on the other side of town.

In a brief to be given to Bristol consultants Stridereglown, the council's museum working party outlined aspirations to promote the facility as a national centre of excellence for weaving.

A permanent Second World War exhibition, a multi-media centre and extended studying facilities could also be included if a museum expansion plan is deemed financially viable.

A caf and souvenir shop could provide income on a franchise basis, with the town's tourist information centre, town council offices and chamber of commerce possibly using the buildings on a partnership basis.

Mayor Glyn Bridges said the prospect of relocating the museum was still a "pipe-dream" but facts and figures would help things move forward.

It could cost upwards of £1.5m to renovate the Wiltshire County Council-owned building, but Cllr Bridges said he doubted the authority would want to hold onto what amounted to a millstone on its budget.

"If we find a good use for the building the county council could hand it over," he said.

"But the town council would not go ahead unless we were sure we were going to get value for council taxpayers' money.

"The cost of the museum is already falling on taxpayers in the town and we don't want to see the costs going any higher. But we would definitely like to see the museum expanded."

The town council's lease on its offices in Fore Street runs out next September, with the potential move of the museum seen as a prime opportunity for the authority to remain in the town centre.

Another option under investigation includes moving the town council offices into County Hall, but the mayor said he was opposed to the idea.

"I think the council as a whole feels it would be in favour of remaining in the town centre, and moving into the town hall would complete that aim," Cllr Bridges said.

"I know the town clerk is very keen to move over to County Hall but the town council is not." Cllr Steve Squires said he was also against a move to County Hall.

"I would not want the town council to lose its identity by being swallowed up in the big concrete monolith."

Consultants Stridereglown have been hired by Wiltshire County Council to look at the future of the town hall in depth.