VISITOR numbers are increasing at Swindon's Steam railway museum.

Following a long period of falling numbers and rising debt, numbers for the first two months of the new financial year have exceeded targets.

In April, 6,797 people were expected through its doors, but the actual figure was 8,178.

April was boosted by the Easter holidays, but the upward trend continued in May when 5,840 people paid to tour the museum, up 610 on the predicted figure of 5,230.

Now acting manager Tim Bryan says the museum could break its target of visitors for the coming year by thousands.

Steam's visitor numbers have fallen dramatically since 2001, when it attracted 94,800. Last year was down almost 10,000 on 2001, with 85,000, and 79,000 were predicted to visit this year.

Visitor numbers had consistently failed to meet expectations since the museum's opening in mid-2000.

But Mr Bryan is confident he can match last year's total of 85,000, beating this year's target by 6,000.

He said: "We are cautiously optimistic for the coming year.

"We really want it to be a year of consolidation. Given all the changes that have happened we would like to be able to halt the decline and then look forward next year.

"We have got good bookings for schools in the period up to the holidays, and there are some good signs of early growth. It is difficult to say exactly why the numbers have gone up. I think it is a combination of many little things, such as better signage and marketing."

In April the Evening Advertiser predicted that attendance was set to rise when we reported that over the Easter weekend 2,800 people came - compared to 2,377 for the same period in 2002.

When the £13 million museum opened, it was predicted that 250,000 people per year would come through the doors, meaning the council would have had to pay a subsidy of £100,000 per year to keep it running.

Potential visitors were put off because they had difficulty finding the museum behind the Outlet Village.

However, in April 12 new signs were unveiled, lining the pedestrian approaches and car parks of the shopping centre.

The council today announced that holders of the Swindon Card would get entry fee discounts of up to 55 per cent.

Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads), the council's lead member for cultural services and recreation, said: "The numbers are a step in the right direction. However there are many exciting plans shortly to come to fruition. As well as the attractive Swindon Card deal we are keen to develop the corporate entertainment side and improve the marketing even more."