Newent could be home to a new museum housing part of the biggest collection of historical packaging and advertising in the world.

Much of the Robert Opie collection is based at Wigan, following a move from Gloucester Docks in 2001.

But a section of the museum could move back to Gloucester-shire within a year, under the Newent Initiative plan.

A feasibility study is to be carried out next month, thanks to a £5,000 rural regeneration grant from Gloucestershire First. Negotiations are underway between the Newent Initiative and the Cowdy Gallery of Culver Street, with a view to using a large building behind the gallery to house the museum.

A Westbury man has also offered a working traditional printing press to the Newent Initiative and this could be another tourist attraction for the proposed new museum.

Newent mayor Fred Passant said: "I very much welcome this but the feasibility study will tell us whether the whole idea is a runner or not.

"It needs to make business sense and it comes down to money, as usual.

"But if all goes well, the printing and packaging museum could be another visitor attraction to complement existing attractions like the Shambles."

The cost of the new museum is still to be calculated but some of the expenditure could be met through grants, although the museum would be expected to pay its way once it is up and running.

Town councillor Peter Street, project co-ordinator, stressed the idea was still in its very early stages. He added: "We would need to get the right sort of visitor numbers and get a substantial return on investments. If we are lucky, very lucky, the museum could be open next year."