Exeter museum revamp cost 'increase 60%'

Costs to refurbish the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter have spiralled by more than 60%

The refurbishment of a Devon museum is set to cost more than 60% over what was set for the original budget.

Costs for the project at Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum have risen by £9m from an initial £15m to a forecasted £24m, the city council said.

Exeter City Council said that overspend was a result of design problems and delays.

The renovations, which will enable additional collections to be displayed, are more than a year behind schedule.

To help with the additional costs Exeter City Council has been awarded £730,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund which had already contributed £9.5m to the project.

The museum, which was due to open in the spring, is now due to open in December 2011.