Local councillors 'huffed and puffed' at their meeting this week over a decision to give Tenby Museum funding for a project on the Lydstep pig.

The museum and art gallery's collections manager Mark Lewis wrote to Tenby Town Council to explain that a project was in the pipeline to put in a display based on the mesolithic pig, whose remains were discovered in a peat layer at Lydstep Haven in 1917, by Arthur Leach, former curator of the museum.

"The bones of the pig are in storage at the Natural History Museum in London, and an approach made for the return of the bones by Tenby Museum was unfortunately refused," wrote Mr. Lewis in correspondence brought before town councillors at their meeting on Tuesday night.

"The museum however is planning to put in a display of the pig which will include bilingual signage and a floor display showing the bones as depicted on a glass slide dating from 1917 and drawn up, we believe, by Arthur Leach.

"The display will be depicted almost in the manner of an archaeological dig and will provide an entertaining and educational display on this fascinating artefact," added Mr. Lewis.

Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain said she felt it was a very worthwhile project to support and even suggested that a campaign be started to bring back the Lydstep pig to Pembrokeshire.

Her colleague however, Clr. Will Rossiter said that he didn't believe it was right to give funding to a facility that made its own money.

"Museums should be free, people shouldn't be charged to go in there so I don't think we should give them funding for this project," he remarked.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall said he'd like the museum to be free to enter too, but that sadly the funding wasn't there for this to be possible at the moment, while his fellow councillor Mike Evans backed the project.

"We're very lucky to have such a fabulous attraction that we can call our own museum. A lot of schools are able to use it for free and the museum's employees are excellent and helpful beyond belief," he said.

Clr. Trevor Hallett added that the museum was a valuable research centre for local students and that some charges had to be implemented to cover staff costs.

Councillors agreed to donate £216.46 to the museum towards the Lydstep pig display.