THE review of leisure services across Fareham will shift focus to Westbury Manor Museum as the attraction comes under the scrutiny of councillors.

The future of the West Street museum, pictured, will be under the spotlight as members of the leisure panel assess how the venue is performing.

The results of a borough-wide survey are outlined in the first of a two-part report on Westbury Manor that is also home to the town's Tourist Information Centre.

According to the figures, around 40 per cent of those who returned the questionnaire said no one in their household had ever visited the attraction.

Despite this response, investigators found it was one of the most popular museums in the area including Eastleigh, Gosport, Andover and Havant and it came top of the table for visitor figures. It is predicted a record number could be notched up this year, topping 2001 visitor figures of 35,000.

Other findings included:

Some areas of the 18th-century building were classed as shabby and in need of refurbishment;

Of visitors surveyed 74 per cent thought the content of the attraction was good or very good;

Because of its Grade II listed building status, it was unlikely the museum would be modified to improve disability access. Currently wheelchair users cannot access the first floor as there is no lift.

Julie Biddlecombe, curator of the museum that was established in 1990, said: "I think overall the report is very fair. I was involved in much of it and I think the findings are a fair representation of what we have here.

"It has also recognised the potential the museum has and where we could capitalise on areas that at the moment are underused."

The review of all leisure services in Fareham is expected to be completed by next March. All the town's top attractions have come under the scrutiny of the council which has also considered combining two of Fareham's biggest venues - the leisure centre and Ferneham Hall.

The review was ordered a year ago after the Conservative-run authority announced it could not afford to continue operating all the facilities at the current level.

Executive member for leisure Connie Hockley said: "I wish we had a magic wand whereby all the services and facilities we run got funding but the reality is that's just not feasible.

"The review is rather like a jigsaw and it is a case of fitting the pieces we have together come March."

The report will be discussed at Wednesday's meeting of the overview panel.