SWINDON Council will press ahead with its plans to redevelop Barbury Castle in the New Year.

But it insists it will deal with the site sensitively.

It plans to raise the profile of the 150-acre site by improving public facilities and focusing on its historic background.

Plans in the pipeline include a new caf, an information centre, a campsite, improved facilities for cyclists and maybe even a bike hire scheme.

The scheme was discussed at a meeting of the environment, transport and neighbourhood Services committee.

Chairing the meeting, Coun Stan Pajak (Lib Dem, Eastcott) said the council would not be turning Barbury into a theme park.

He said: "It should be remembered that it is an English Heritage site and therefore strictly regulated.

"Any improvements would be sympathetic to the area and designed to enhance what is already there."

Councillors agreed to end farming activities at the 2,500-year-old site and instead focus on marketing Barbury as a visitor attraction.

The land is owned by Swindon Borough Council and thought to have huge tourist potential, which has hardly been touched.

Barbury is already popular with cyclists, kite flyers and dog walkers, but it was once an Iron Age fort and home to the Beaker People.

It is thought to have been created about 2,500 years ago and is one of the most popular landmarks on the 5,000 year-old Ridgeway National Trail.

It is one of a number of hilltop forts found in Southern England.

They were created as settlements to protect against invading parties from Europe.

The double banks of the castle and a ditch are still visible, and archaeological treasures found at the site suggest it was used over a long period of time.

Axes made of flint, pottery, jewellery, knives and tools have all been found at the site.

In 1985, workmen discovered the skeleton of a woman from the Roman era, buried with her hobnail boots.