A SUCCESSFUL trial period during which the Museum of Oxford scrapped entrance charges and saw visitor numbers jump might not be enough to secure permanent free entry.

City council officers think the museum, the only exhibition charting the history of the city, should open its doors for free until March, 2008.

After a trial, they think continued free entry to the museum - and better marketing - is the answer to it breaking even.

But the man who heads the council's leisure services department believes the authority could make money by charging people a nominal fee.

The St Aldate's museum, part of the Town Hall, has suffered heavy financial losses.

Recent visitors, some of whom had lived in the city for more than 20 years, claimed never to have heard of the museum.

Others said they were happy to give a donation.

Today, the executive committee will debate whether to agree a further 14-month free entry period so full-year visitor numbers can be obtained.

Figures from a seven-week period show a 67 per cent increase in attendance after the £2, £1.50 and 50p charges were scrapped.

The museum costs the council £127,000 a year to keep afloat, but it is thought that if more people walk through the door, more money will be spent in the museum shop and newly-opened gallery cafe.

Council officer Claire Newport said: "It is the general opinion in the museum and wider cultural sector that admission charges create a limiting effect on usage and that removal leads to an increase in visitor numbers.

"The evidence suggests the trial has been a huge success.

"Extending free admission for a full year would allow a thorough review of who our audiences are, how to market them and the differing trends throughout the seasons."

Liberal Democrat city councillor Alan Armitage, executive member for a healthier environment, said: "We have hugely increased the number of people going in - and it seems these people are Oxford residents.

"However, I am not yet entirely convinced we should not have some sort of charge - maybe £1 could be considered reasonable."