THE Heritage Centre in Chippenham has met its first year target of visitors in just 30 weeks.

The new museum and heritage centre in Market Place notched up its 12,000th visitor on Friday, when Matthew Cruse, ten, from Redland School, called in to find out about the Victorians for a history project.

Centre manager Mike Stone said he was very pleased with the high turn-out.

"It shows the museum is serving a need, and it is in exactly the right position at the heart of the town," he said.

"It is a very attractive building and we have not had anyone say they don't like the way we've done it."

The Heritage Centre, set up by Chippenham Town Council, opened in April.

Mr Stone said gifts were still pouring in with exhibits and artefacts being added to the collection all the time.

Pictures, china, Westinghouse items and Red Cross memorabilia have all been handed over to the museum.

Next year, a further four exhibitions are planned, including displays on the two world wars.