'Let's make a killing out of Agatha Christie'

Norman Guiver said a permanent exhibition on the author – who lived in the town for more than 40 years and is the bestselling novelist of all time – would bring in coachloads of visitors.

But he said volunteers were stuck in the past.

Museum bosses said they were looking into exploiting the town’s connections more.

But town council clerk Andrew Rogers said: “Wallingford has 1,000 years of history to show off – it’s not all about Agatha Christie.”

Mr Guiver, 61, is the former project manager for a £400,000 annexe plan for the museum. He resigned in May and is now in a legal dispute with trustees.

The retired businessman said: “Agatha Christie attracts people to Wallingford but the museum only has a small display about her.

“I think the museum should create a new Agatha Christie centre because it would really increase footfall in the town; it’s a no-brainer.

“The town should be packed with coachloads of Agatha Christie fanatics but the museum only seems to be interested in medieval history. The volunteers are a bit stuck in the ninth and 10th centuries.”

He said The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society “is dominant when it comes to decision-making” at the museum.

Judy Dewey, curator of Wallingford Museum, said volunteers were trying to take advantage of the writer’s connections with the town.

She said: “We already have an Agatha Christie display and next year one of the main exhibitions will be dedicated to murder mysteries.

“We are looking at ways of increasing our visitor numbers and one of the reasons for pursuing an extension is to cope with the whole business of coach parties who would come to Wallingford seeking Christie connections.”

Mr Guiver is in dispute with the museum as he has tried to register part of the annexe design with the Intellectual Property Office. He claims the decision to use timber was his idea.

This has put the plan on hold and a ruling is expected next month.