EVESHAM town councillors are to give cash to the town's museum and tourist centre to help it through its financial crisis.

This year's budgeted income for the Almonry Museum and Information Centre is £17,900 but the budgeted expenditure is £81,035 - leaving the centre with a £63,000 deficit.

The income made by the centre during the previous financial year was about £15,000 but the actual expenditure was £71,900 leaving the centre with a debt of £56,000.

Evesham town clerk Frank Green asked members at a meeting on Monday to decide whether they thought it was beneficial to keep the museum open.

He said: "There are very few information centres like this in the country that actually make a profit.

"The centre has made many cutbacks and employs only one full-time member of staff.

"The centre simply cannot make anymore cutbacks so it's up to the council to really decide whether we should support it or not."

Town councillors agreed that although it was adding to the debt through promoting Evesham's history, it was important for it remain open.

Cllr Andrew Dyke said: "The Almonry is a huge part of this town. Everything has its place and the centre has its place here. I really do feel they should have some money. "

"It's not just about money, not with the Almonry, there's more to life than just money and this is an important place to the people and visitors of Evesham. I'm quite happy to keep the Almonry and think some money should be given."

Councillors agreed on Monday to award the museum £500 to be part of the centre's next year's budget.

Other councillors suggested using volunteers at the museum and hosting wedding ceremonies and other promotional events.

The council also agreed to write a letter of support to the staff at the centre informing them of how the council planned to support them financially.