A closure-threatened museum commemorating Scotland's Roman heritage is to be improved and better publicised following calls to keep it open.

Falkirk Council had proposed that Kinneil Museum, on the outskirts of Bo'ness, be moved to a different site.

However, a survey carried out by the authority stated that 89% of respondents wanted to see it retained.

Councillors decided to undertake more work on options for its future, but warned there were limitations.

The council said it had already acted on suggestions to improve the museum but warned that the site suffered from development constraints.

The authority will now hold talks with heritage agency Historic Scotland and other bodies to consider developing leisure facilities on the wider Kinneil Estate.

'Improve visitor numbers'

Environment and heritage convener Robert Spears said: "We will continue to look at ways to improve visitor numbers at Kinneil, which have tended to remain on an average of 4,000 per year.

"But we believe there is potential for improving on this. The rich heritage of Bo'ness has a huge amount to offer in terms of bringing visitors to this area and the benefits to the local economy."

Adrian Mahoney, chairman of The Friends of Kinneil, which led the campaign to keep the museum open, said: "I'm pleased to hear the very positive comments coming from councillors on the future of Kinneil Museum. They clearly see a potential to boost visitor numbers.

"However, some council officials are still concerned about the long term viability of Kinneil Museum. We hope that they will work with the community and groups such as The Friends of Kinneil to secure a positive future for the museum.

"The museum and historic Kinneil Estate - at the eastern end of the Antonine Wall - has huge potential. Let's build on this."

Bo'ness is at the eastern end of the Antonine Wall, which was the Roman empire's most northerly frontier.

The wall runs 37 miles from Bo'ness to Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire.

The Kinneil Estate is also the site of a Roman fortlet.