COUNCILLOR Peter Stoddart is right to raise the issue of the future of the former railway museum.

And his suggestion about turning it into a meeting place for ethnic minority groups and asylum seekers should be given serious consideration.

Swindon Council has itself declared the need to "fast track" the process of finding a new use for the building to prevent it from decaying, but so far there has been little action.

As things stand, the building is set to face a third winter empty.

Coun Stoddart's idea will mean that the town's 140 asylum seekers and refugees, who represent part of a growing community in the town, will finally have a base.

Whether his plans reach fruition in their current form is another thing. No doubt there are people with other ideas for the building.

But whatever happens, now is the time for a debate on the former museum's future.

Otherwise, just like the Mechanics' Institute, we could be looking at the gradual crumbling away of more of the town's heritage.