STANDING in the car park outside Swindon's magistrates' court on a grey November day, it can be difficult to imagine it as a cultural hub of any kind.

But now, thanks to the power of video simulation, it is possible to get some sense of what the area may be like if the bit to build a brand new museum and art gallery gets the go-ahead.

The formal funding proposal will be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund exactly one month from today.

Ahead of that deadline, the team behind the bid are set to release a video transporting viewers into and around the proposed new venue.

The full video is due to be released next week, but today we can bring you a sneak peak.

This week has also seen Robert Buckland reassert his support for a new museum and art gallery in the centre of Swindon.

On Monday, the South Swindon MP welcomed fellow parliamentarian John Glen to the constituency.

The Salisbury MP, who has been the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism since June, was keen to see what Swindon had to offer in those key areas.

He visited the Science Museum in Wroughton before heading on to the existing Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Old Town.

There he heard about the multi-million pound proposal to build a bespoke home for Swindon's collection just off Prince's Street.

Re-stating his support for the bid, Robert said: "Swindon owns one of the most important collections of modern British art in the country, with some of the work currently displayed in rotation at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Old Town.

"The available space just isn’t big enough to show off our extensive and impressive collection, however, which is one of the reasons why I am extremely supportive of plans to build a new much larger museum and exhibition space.

"The museum would also provide a place to learn about Swindon’s history and help educate people on the fascinating story of the town’s past, as well as being available to host other visiting collections and displays.

"It would also act as a focus for the regeneration at the heart of the town.

"I am fully supportive of the plans to build a new larger museum, which would attract visitors and more investment into our town."