AN ACTION plan is being put in place to transform Ryedale's least visited museum.

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

But a report by a specialist consultant has revealed a need to revive the museum with a re-launch.

The Evening Press highlighted the fact that two years ago the museum was attracting so few visitors, the cost of keeping it open amounted to £9.78 per person.

The figures were based on a report by the Audit Commission, which revealed that the museum attracted a paltry 54.8 visitors out for every 1,000 people in the district.

As a result, last year the Malton Museum Foundation employed a consultant to look at options for saving the ailing facility.

Consultant Hilary McGowan's report, which was released this week, has identified a number of problems with the museum and potential solutions.

"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," says a summary of the report by the Foundation.

"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."

The report has recommended a series of short, medium and long-term solutions.

Urgent short-term solutions include appointing a new curator adviser, says the report, appointing a new chairman of the Friends of the Museum and creating a new management group for day-to-day running.

"This would leave the board free to concentrate on strategy," says the report.

Other short-term recommendations include recruiting new foundation members and volunteers. The report advocates the relaunching of the museum next year to include social and historical activities.

A recruitment drive will be launched to find new volunteers and helpers.

Meanwhile, the report recommends a rolling programme of changes to displays within the museum to ensure section are refreshed on a regular basis.

From 2003-06, the report says the drawing up of educational programmes on archaeology and social history is vital.

"Other long-term recommendations include recruiting volunteers to assist in marketing and implementing outreach programmes," says the report.

Updated: 08:24 Thursday, July 25, 2002