Baths the favourite in race for Pounds 100,000

A bookmaker has made the Roman Baths the favourite for a Pounds100,000 national prize.

The complex has made it to the last four of a contest to find thebest museum in the country.

It is up against the British Museum, the Polar Museum inCambridge and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Scotland for thePounds 100,000 Art Fund prize, which will be decided on June 15.

Bookmakers victorchandler.

com make the baths the 2/1 favourite to win the award, slightlyahead of the Robert Burns museum at 9/4. Spokesman Charlie McCannsaid the competition would be close this year.

"As the betting suggests, we think it is a wide open contest andall four nominations would be worthy winners. We have made the RomanBaths Museum a slight favourite but the Robbie Burns Museum musthave leading claims. It will be a fascinating contest."

Judges announced the final shortlist last week after initiallycoming up with a long-list of ten.

The baths complex, run by B&NES Council, entered its Pounds 5.5million development scheme to improve accessibility andunderstanding for the prize.

The attraction is visited by around 900,000 people a year andemploys 65 full-time staff.

Manager Stephen Clews said: "Our visitors tell us that thedevelopment has transformed the site. It is better cared for, muchmore accessible and far easier to understand than it has ever been."However good it is, we can still make it better, and if we go on towin the Art Fund Prize, this would help us make that happen."

Former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, who is championing theRoman Baths' campaign to win the prize, said: "The recentdevelopment has transformed the site, making it more engaging andaccessible for people of all ages. Lots of thought and care has alsobeen given to the long-term conservation of the archaeologicalremains. I am delighted to offer what support I can to help themuseum win the prize."

Councillor David Dixon (Lib Dem, Oldfield), the new cabinetmember for neighbourhoods, said: "There is no doubt that the RomanBaths is now one of the country's leading museums, with freeadmission for local residents holding a Discovery Card.

"Recognition of that by inclusion on the Art Fund Prize shortlistis a great achievement.

I hope that the Roman Baths will win come the final announcementin June."

The public are invited to vote for their favourite shortlistedmuseum and tell the judges which they think should win, viawww.artfundprize.org.uk/vote.

An internet voting point is available at the baths at whichvisitors can vote.