NOTTINGHAM'S Industrial Museum at Wollaton Hall faces possible closure as Nottingham City Council seeks to plug a £20m hole in its budget.

About £44,000 per year would be saved if the facility closed and a 90-day consultation has begun. Since 1971 the museum has exhibited steam engines, lace machinery, bicycles and old agricultural equipment.

Wollaton West Coun Dick Benson said: "I think it is sad that this has to happen.

"It is part of Wollaton Hall and part of Nottingham history. In the context of having to save £20m, it does seem to me that £44,000 is not a great deal of money.

Coun Dave Trimble, portfolio holder for Culture, Leisure and Communities at the city council, said it was set to close unless other "interested parties" came forward to help cover running costs.

He said: "I am sorry it is happening. We have had a number of cutbacks.

"If we have no interested parties to keep it running we will do that (close the museum)."

The museum is situated in the stable block and courtyard buildings of Wollaton Hall.

And council leaflets promoting the centre say it offers "an insight into the City's rich industrial heritage".