PLANS to re-locate Swindon's Central Library to the Railway Museum have been dropped.

The council cabinet heard last night that such a move could cost around £2 million.

Council leader Kevin Small (Lab, Western) said: "I don't believe the library option is viable it's not value for money in the short term and in the long term it doesn't meet our needs."

Officers have said that the former museum in Faringdon Road, even with an extra floor installed, would only be one third the estimated required size for a new permanent main library.

Councillors have instead decided to pursue options for a commercial sale of the building.

A number of proposals have already been submitted including turning it into flats, offices, a restaurant or exhibition centre.

Coun Small said the council was not in a financially strong enough position to keep the building itself and develop it for a community use.

However, he did not rule out the possibility of letting the Mechanics Institution Preservation Trust use it on a short-term basis until a new use is found. A final decision will be made at the next cabinet meeting on October 16.