COGGES Manor Farm Museum could be closed as part of a museums service revamp, it has been revealed.

Plans by Oxfordshire County Council could involve selling the 20-acre site in Witney, possibly for housing.

A museums service review has been ordered to find savings of £250,000, which may include compulsory redundancies, as part of an overhaul of the staffing structure.

But a leaked document has warned that even with these changes the service could be still be left "disabled and unsustainable".

Campaigners are gearing up for a battle with County Hall over the plans.

Joanna Clark, of Park Road, North Leigh, and her 22-month-old son, Nicholas, are regular visitors.

She said: "I'm shocked and horrified. I'd be devastated and so would my son if it was to close because every week he asks if we can go there as a treat."

Council heritage and arts officer Martyn Browncorr said: "The process is driven by the need to save money, but it's very difficult within the heritage service to find efficiencies because they've been made over the years, and there's simply no fat to cut."

The leaked document said: "Efficiency savings and budget reductions over many years have left a service which currently does not function effectively."

It warned that many of the best staff had left, and that those remaining were working "excessive" unpaid overtime to cope.

The Cogges Trust works to support the museum. Its chairman David Freeman said: "There are many reasons to save Cogges Manor Farm. It's an exceptional historic site and scheduled as an ancient monument.

"It offers a rich educational experience appealing to visitors of all ages."

The museum was troubled by financial woes even before West Oxfordshire District Council withdrew funding of £196,000 a year in 2005, arguing it should be funded by County Hall.

After its upkeep passed to the county council in 2006, £93,000 was found to keep the loss-making facility open.

The museum costs £340,000 a year to run, but makes just £119,000 - leaving the county £221,000 out of pocket.