AN action plan to help revive the fortunes of an ailing museum has been drawn up.

Malton Museum, in the town's market place, has been suffering from low visitor numbers for several years.

Two years ago, the centre was attracting so few visitors that the cost of keeping it open amounted to £9.78 per person. Now specialist consultants for the Malton Museum Foundation are recommending a major re-launch.

Consultant Hilary McGowan's report says: "Many of the weaknesses related to the problems of the building, declining visitor numbers and the difficulties of attracting new active volunteers to the foundation and the museum itself.

"The report also concluded that the chairman and the senior museum assistant ran the museum almost single-handed, putting an unreasonable amount of responsibility on to the shoulders of two people."

Urgent short-term solutions could include appointing a new curator advisor, as well as a new chairman of the Friends of the Museum, and creating a management group for day-to-day running.

From 2003 to 2006, the report says the drawing up of educational programmes on archaeology and social history will be vital.

"Other long-term recommendations include recruiting volunteers to assist in marketing and implementing outreach programmes," it adds.