WITNEY'S loss-making Manor Farm Museum could depend more on volunteers in the future to cut costs.

A public meeting next week will outline initiatives under way since the museum first came under threat of closure.

There will also be a call for more people to become involved in the day-to-day running of the historic house and garden.

Oxfordshire County Council has pledged to keep the museum open - even with its £250,000 annual losses - but will reduce taxpayer finance over two years.

Figures released by the council show that last year the income was just £120,000 (with £70,000 from 25,000 visitors) while costs were £367,000. The major part of that was £234,000 for staff.

While there is just a skeleton staff in the winter when the museum is closed, it depends on a core of full-time staff boosted by a team of part-time workers to run it during the open season.

This week it emerged that staff were worried about their future.

An employee, who did not want to be named, said: "We had a staff meeting and the feeling was that we might be offloaded in the future."

The public meeting, on Wednesday, February 27 at 7pm at St Mary's Church, Cogges, has been called by the Cogges Museum Trust.

Martyn Brown, county heritage and arts officer, said: "We're really keen to get a good turnout. It's an important opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved so far in saving Cogges.

"But we also need to start discussions about the future, which will include more voluntary involvement day-to-day. A number of proposals have come forward for the longer term future and some of them include a much greater community presence."

Senior council officers and councillors, including Jim Couchman, cabinet member for social and community services, and his cabinet colleague David Robertson, who lives in the town, are expected to be there.

Volunteers already help run the garden, care for farm animals, put on traditional demonstrations like rag rugging and take on security duties.

A volunteers' day is to be held on Saturday, March 8, to help get the museum get ready for the new season, which starts on March 22.

Lorraine Horne, marketing manager, said: "Volunteers are going to be important because the work they do is free.

"But, just as important, it gives them a sense of ownership and community involvement."

This week it was confirmed that season ticket prices for the museum are being cut.