THE proposed relocation of the Wiltshire and Swindon records office could be delayed because of difficulties in obtaining a lottery grant.

Since the plan to build a new office in Chippenham to replace the outdated Trowbridge branch was first mooted in November 2001, the cost of the project has swollen from £9.2 million to an estimated £12.1 million. And crucially, a heritage lottery bid needed to turn the idea into reality has risen from £4.5 million to £5 million, meaning that it cannot be dealt with by the Lottery Fund's regional office in Exeter.

The bid will have to join the bi-annual competitive application for grants worth more than £5 million leading to further delays.

The controversial project, has met opposition from people living in Trow-bridge who say that moving it will hit the economy of the town.

Now the scheme is being looked into by a local government ombudsman over alleged failings by Wiltshire County Council. At least £1.45 million of the total £12.1 million will be met by Swindon tax payers.

Wiltshire needs to create a new records office because the existing office in Trowbridge was condemned as inadequate by the Public Records Office and the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.