THE Devizes-based Wiltshire Archeological Society says it will continue to co-operate on the planned new Records Office at The Wharf, despite saying it will not be moving its library there.

The society, which owns and runs the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Long Street, was approached by Wiltshire County Council about moving the extensive library, which is one of the finest collections in the country.

The Royal Photographic Society, the county local studies library, archaeology service, museums service, conservation centre and the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have all come in on the project which is seeking Heritage Lottery funding for the £10 million scheme.

Wiltshire County Council says the centre will give Devizes national and possibly international recognition, and the design would be the subject of an architectural competition.

But, after months of deliberation, the society has shunned the idea of splitting the library from the archaeological collection so it can concentrate on finding a new site for the museum itself.

Society chairman Col David Part said: "The society is backing the Wharf proposals but we had to turn down the idea of moving the library on the grounds of timing and affordability.

"We are looking to move the entire building. Long Street is not the ideal site for a modern museum. The rooms are too small, it is short of display space and the disabled access is a problem. The ground floor is on 16 different levels. We are looking at two different sites, both of them in Devizes.

"So the proposal to move into Wharfside has not come at a very good time. Also, it would cost us £112,000, which would cut down the amount we could spend to relocate the whole museum.

"We will move house when and if we can afford it."

Some members of the society and many of the staff were against the library move because it would divorce the library from the museum collection and the society would lose control over its own material.

Instead curator Dr Paul Robinson prepared a paper asking the county council to consider a new town gallery at Wharfside, entitled The Devizes Story, including much local material which has never been seen because of lack of space in Long Street.

It would trace the history of the town from its founding in 400BC by King Dunwallo to the present day.

It would include items like the first telephones used in Devizes, the gas-ignited crown from Burt's stores, the overhead cash railway from Slopers and the Devizes town charters.

There would be sections on Devizes Castle, and its role in the civil wars between Matilda and Stephen and King Charles I and Cromwell.

Wiltshire County Council said it was expecting an interim decision on its bid from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in the New Year.

If the decision is positive, the council will offer the design of the new building out to tender.