Half a million pounds will be pumped into the STEAM museum next year to keep it running.

At a private cabinet meeting Swindon councillors agreed to pour £473,000 into the railway museum to ensure its success next year, with an extra £26,000 on marketing the attraction.

There are now fears the council will face an even greater bill of £1 million pounds in the near future, because the construction costs were higher than the predicted figure of £10.98 million.

At least five people will lose their jobs at the museum, but will be offered alternative work by the council.

Cabinet member Chris Eley (Lab, Walcot) said: "We had originally budgeted for a £97,000 subsidy for 2001/2002 but we are now putting in nearly half a million."

The cabinet has unanimously agreed a package of measures to keep STEAM open. These will be put before the ratification committee in a fortnight's time.

Admission charges could rise from November 1 and late-night opening could cease. The operating costs may be reduced and the contract with Sixth Sense Theatre Company, which puts on plays, is likely to be terminated.

Swindon's £11 million museum, which opened in June, faced a financial crisis because it was not pulling in enough visitors. Around 194,000 people were expected during its first year but the total is more likely to be 100,000.