IT MIGHT not work anymore, but an old tractor at Harcourt Arboretum is fast-becoming the most-loved attraction there.

Ronnie the Tractor is the latest activity for children visiting the University of Oxford arboretum on the outskirts of Nuneham Courtenay.

The farming machine has been made safe for children like three-year-old Rufus Snape to climb on board and pretend he is farming his crops.

Wearing his googly-eyed hat with spindly antennae, Rufus and his sister Iris one, were just some of the first children to climb aboard Ronnie and take him for an imaginary spin around the fields.

The brother and sister were part of an under-fives bugs, beetles and butterflies activity group at the 130-acre arboretum for a minibeast adventure on Wednesday including a bug hunt and art and crafts session.

As well as singing songs and hearing stories, the group got to ride Ronnie, who has been modified to make sure he is safe for children to play on.

Harcourt Arboretum education and outreach officer Tegan Bennett said: “Harcourt Arboretum now has an old tractor which children can play on.

“Ronnie the Tractor will be stationary and has been modified so that children can enjoy pretending to drive him.”