BOURNEMOUTH Aviation Museum has been saved after councillors at Christchurch Borough Council approved plans to site a scaled down version of the popular tourist attraction at Adventure Wonderland.

Councillors on the planning control committee unanimously voted for plans to temporarily move a representative selection of the Museum's collection of vintage static aircraft to the car park at Adventure Wonderland.

The museum, which had been open for 10 years, was forced to close in December after the lease on the hanger and adjoining areas was not renewed by the airport owners, who need the site for the expansion of the terminal car park.

Since then, the trustees have fought a long but unsuccessful campaign to try and ensure the museum remains on or near where it was until the owner of Adventure Wonderland, Hurn farmer Russell Lucas, offered them the space at the park.

Successful Museum trustee Richard Edwards said: "Christchurch has had a long and distinguished association with aviation. For 10 years we kept the flag flying in a successful aviation museum.

"Visitors saw flying aircraft and helicopters and engineering operations until circumstances beyond our control forced us to close.

"Adventure Wonderland has offered us a home for part of our collection. It's not ideal as we can't show flying aircraft or engineering activities."

He added: "To put this into perspective, imagine reducing Swanage Railway to a collection of engines and carriages in a car park."

Councillors gave the green light to the plans despite an officer recommendation to refuse the application over concerns about the amount of extra traffic flow going into the narrow Merritown Lane.

But due to the predicted level of traffic only amounting to a maximum of seven vehicles a day, well within the number already approved for the site, councillors overturned the recommendation.

Mr Edwards said: "We're delighted. It was very nerve-wracking but at least we have time now to plan our next move."