BEACONSFIELD'S county councillor, Margaret Dewar, has achieved a long time ambition to get rid of entrance charges at the county museum.

Cllr Dewar, the cabinet member for community affairs, has objected to the charge ever since it was first introduced about eight years ago.

Once she became a member of the cabinet and took responsibility for the museum in Aylesbury she seized her chance.

She had already agreed to scrap the £1.50 charge (children go free) in September but has now persuaded council leader David Shakespeare to let in happen in July, in time for the school summer holidays.

"If I had my way it would happen right away," she said.

One snag is that the publicity material says September. Mrs Dewar said that was a pity but she hoped people would pass the message round one way or another across the county.

The museum was about people's heritage, she said. "I have a feeling about this. Our heritage is extremely important."

She said there was a relatively small amount of money involved about £6,000 to £8,000. But improvements to the restaurant, which is too small at present, and more things to sell in the shop, might finance the difference

"People come with their children and the children will always want to spend money in the shop," she said

"I think if it is free it will encourage people to come.

She said the museum was the county museum, not the Aylesbury museum. But people in the south of the county either did not know it existed or did not think it had anything for them.

The museum also contains a new art gallery and the popular Roald Dahl Children's Gallery, which costs £2.75 for children and £3.50 for adults for an hour's visit.

Cllr Dewar will have to produce a report on how things are going after six months.