PLANS to attract visitors to a museum by building a medieval-style extension have been delayed by up to two years because volunteers have been unable to get funding.

And the former project manager in charge of the scheme at Wallingford Museum has cast doubts over the whole programme, describing supporters as “clueless”.

The timber-framed structure was intended to expand the museum, in Flint House, High Street, providing a gallery and education space.

It should have been finished last month, but had already been delayed until 2011.

Museum director Stuart Dewey said the projected cost has risen to £500,000, 30 per cent higher than originally planned.

He said: “This is because of the difficulty in raising the funds, given the current financial climate.

“It is a juggling act to get the timing right for different funding sources.”

He said costs had risen because of the increase in VAT and the need to employ a project manager and contractor following the resignation of Norman Guiver in May.

Mr Guiver, who says he owns the designs for the extension, said he had no faith in the ability of museum bosses to maximise visitor numbers.

He said: “They have done a good job in discovering the Saxon history of Wallingford, but they are clueless how to run a visitor attraction – which is to the detriment of Wallingford. They are totally uncommercial and do not appear to have any community responsibility.

“They have no money and they do not even own the design; they just have planning permission.”

Mr Dewey, however, insisted the museum had paid for the designs and said it would now apply for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which could provide the bulk of the funding.

He said: “The only way we can raise the £500,000 we need is with a very substantial grant.

“We have only just begun the process, which could take around 18 months to complete, so it is possible that the build will not now take place until 2012.

“But if we can make it happen, the delay would be well worthwhile.

“We are a charitable organisation and we have to be wise about what we are doing as we are accountable.”

The museum, which had 2,000 paying visitors last year, has so far raised about £50,000 from local sources.

Mr Dewey added: “This will provide quite a major tourist attraction.”

In response to the accusation of being ‘clueless’, Mr Dewey said Mr Guiver was “not an expert on museums, and we are in a climate where most museums are seeing dwindling figures”.