MANAGEMENT at a North Yorkshire museum have decided to scrap a free admissions policy blamed for a downturn in income over the past 12 months.

Richmond's three museums agreed last year they would no longer charge anyone who lives locally in an attempt to tempt more residents to visit.

The Richmondshire Museum records show that about 500 people took up the offer - many of whom had never been through the doors before.

However, the executive committee claims few brought paying guests with them and, so far, there is little evidence to suggest that word-of-mouth has had any impact on overall visitor numbers either.

"In fact, we ended the year slightly down on the previous 12 months," said spokesman Angus Goodfellow.

"It's hard to say if it would have been worse if we hadn't introduced the free admissions policy, and it's fair to say there may have been a spin-off but, in the end, the figures are hardly encouraging."

As a result, Mr Goodfellow confirmed the Richmondshire Museum is unlikely to continue with free admission for locals when it reopens for the new season.

"We're considering alternatives, which include two-for-one admission. That way, we would still benefit from some extra income," he said.

Richmondshire District Council's museums officer Lynda Powell said Richmond's Green Howards' Regimental Museum seemed set to continue with its own free admissions policy, while management changes at the town's Georgian Theatre Museum meant it had yet to confirm its policies for the coming year.

She said: "The council recommended two-for-one admission last October but it was the three museums which agreed on free admission for local people instead.

"In a way, the Richmondshire Museum's experience shows it has been a success because they have attracted people who may never have visited otherwise; however, it was always likely it would take time before they enjoyed any financial benefit and it may be they will reap their reward in future."

Ms Powell added the district authority is considering if it can help ease the burden by making grants available - although she warned the sums involved were likely to be small.