A THINK tank has met for the first time in Glasgow to discuss a strategy for museums. The group of 10 experts from organisations across Scotland will continue to meet over the next few months to come up with recommendations.

Yesterday's event, chaired by culture minister Michael Russell, came after a summit of 200 museum officials in Stirling.

It was sparked by the Evening Times Ripped Off Glasgow campaign which called for a fair deal for Glasgow museums and for them to be treated on a more equal basis with the National Museums and Galleries in Edinburgh.

Glasgow's collections, which are funded entirely from council sources while national collections, based mainly in Edinburgh, receive £41million in government cash.

Mr Russell said he recognised there was an issue and charged the think tank with coming up with a solution, as well as other points.

They will consider what the balance between local, national and independent provision should be, and how to achieve a sustainable future for Scotland's industrial collections.

The panel will also investigate articulating the sector's contribution to Scottish society and, how to make the best use of limited resources.

Mr Russell said: "There are long-standing and well-known issues which deserve and require the attention of the whole museums' community.

"I have told the group that we must be completely open-minded and look at all opportunities for both what can be achieved, and how we can achieve it."

The think tank includes Liz Cameron, chairwoman of Culture and Sport Glasgow and Ewen Smith, director of Hunterian Museum and Gallery.