THE bitter rift between Bolton Council and the ousted Smithills Hall Trust deepened today, amid claims the historic building would have "died long ago" without the help of its volunteers.

Ian Greenhalgh, chairman of the Trust, spoke out after the final death knell was sounded for the Trust, when plans to replace it with the council's own management team were rubber stamped.

The move to replace the Trust as managers of the Hall was made by Cllr David Wilkinson, executive member for regeneration and development.

He hopes the change will mean the council's museum service will qualify for more cash grants and be able to turn the Hall into a major regional tourist destination.

But angry Trust members have said they feel let down by the decision.

Mr Greenhalgh said: "The Hall would have died a long time ago if we had not got involved. Before we took over the Hall was dead and I can't believe the council has taken this decision.

"To say we have only done a 'fair' job is outrageous because we have made a huge difference here and this is a move in the wrong direction for the people."

Under the move, the 12 members of the Smithills Hall and Park Trust will be removed from the day-to-day running of the 800-year-old hall in January and a new fundraising role will be created for it.

Cllr WIlkinson said: "They have done a reasonable job, but we have to move on.

"The way the government expects museums to be run has changed and this is not just about getting more money for the museum service."

Around 15,000 people visit the hall every year, a rise of 40 per cent from when the Trust took over its running in 1998.

Bolton is due to receive around £800,000 in funding from the North-west Museums Hub a group for the region's historic attractions between 2004 and 2008.