About 50 volunteers turned out at Cogges Farm, in Witney, to give the recently- reprieved attraction a spring clean.

Members of the public scrubbed, painted and tidied their way around the museum at the weekend.

It had been threatened with closure after losing £250,000 a year - but Oxfordshire County Council drew up a rescue plan.

Marketing manager Lorraine Horne said: "It has been fantastic. There has been a really superb turn out, despite the weather.

"We have managed to get lots of jobs done, including cutting hedges, cleaning farm equipment and painting. We have also managed to get a big mail shot done.

"Lots of volunteers have come forward and said they will help out in the future. The Witney Rotary Club are going to re-bark our children's play area and the Witney Woodlands Volunteers will be doing a litter pick.

"It is the first year we have done this, and I think it is as a result of what we have been through in the last few months.

"We have been staggered by the public support and many, many people have asked what they can do to help.

"It is due to that support that we are still here."