A GROUP which aims to keep the history of Wootton Bassett alive is under threat because no one wants to take over from the current committee members.

For nearly four decades the Wootton Bassett Historical Society has promoted interest in the town's past and also runs the museum inside the Town Hall in the High Street.

Walter Ineson has been the group's chairman for five years as well as the secretary and the programme secretary for the past nine years. But he doesn't even live in the town.

Mr Ineson got involved by accident and although he has enjoyed being at the helm, he now wants to pass on the mantle to someone else.

He said: "I took it on thinking somebody else would take over but that was five years ago.

"One of the joys of being retired is to have free time. I'm kept pretty busy but I want to pursue other interests like researching family history."

The treasurer Harold Sinton also wants to step down so a volunteer is needed for his post as well. Volunteers have ensured the museum has been open nearly every Saturday between 10.30am and 12.30pm since it was set up in 1972.

The museum houses a varied collection including fossils, a sword dating to 1840, stocks, a whipping post, breast plates used in the Civil War as well as photo-graphs of the town.

The group also organises talks by people with knowledge of the town. The next ones are due to take place on September 25 and October 30 by Dr Alan Stebbens who will talk about houses of Wootton Bassett and their occupants.