ADMISSION prices at Swindon's struggling Steam museum have been put up by mistake.

Charges went up by an average of five per cent, against the wishes of councillors who had asked for them to be frozen.

The blunder, which could cost £43,000 to correct, appears to be the fault of officers in Swindon Council's education and community department.

They insist they were acting on an agreed council service plan.

But the leaders of all three political groups claim they were unaware that the charges were increased on April 1.

Tickets to the award-winning museum went up from £5.70 to £5.95 for adults, £3.60 to £3.80 for juniors and from £3.70 to £3.90 for senior citizens. Other packages, like family and season tickets, also went up.

The foul-up was only spotted when Coun John Taylor (Lab, Central) was contacted by Friends of Steam chairman, John Plaister.

Coun Taylor said: "I'm sure members will find it difficult to understand how a clear decision made at the budget setting meeting appears to have been ignored."

The idea of increasing the charges was first mooted in January, when it was suggested that they could be put up by as much as 22 per cent in a bid to save the council £19,000.

But when the Labour budget was passed in February, the group made it clear that it did not want to see that move implemented, as it might further damage the museum's already disappointing visitor numbers.

Members on all three groups are now puzzled as to how that decision was misunderstood by officers.

The education and community department has attempted to explain the situation in a briefing note requested by Labour leader Sue Bates.

It claims the decision on February 21 was actually to prevent admission charges rising over and above a five per cent rise agreed for all council charges.

And it warns that if that decision is now reversed, it will cost the council £43,000.

It explains: "If the five per cent increase is withdrawn, the council will have to find a further £37,000 to cover the anticipated income from the increase and will also incur additional expense in reprinting of marketing literature and information boards, which is estimated will cost £5,000."

Coun Bates (Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) said: "This change wasn't made clear within the budget, which is why I queried it with the officers, but I've not had chance to discuss it with my group yet."

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said he was unaware of the increase.

Liberal Democrat leader Mike Evemy (Eastcott) said: "It was certainly the intention of the council that prices should not rise at all and I'm very surprised if they have gone up without members being advised.