Witney's much-loved Cogges Farm Museum has been given a cash boost after Oxfordshire County Council stumped up extra funding.

County Hall agreed to subsidise the under-threat museum to the tune of £480,000 — £160,000 per year, for three years.

However, it is set to wash its hands of the facility from August when a trust is to take over the running of the working farm.

County councillor Jim Couchman, cabinet member for social care and community services, said the cash would help Cogges Community Enterprise Group get off the ground.

The group has been set up to find solutions to improve the loss-making Church Lane museum.

Mr Couchman said: “I hope Witney will be please to have, what we hope, is a sustainable future for Cogges.

“It is much-loved by many people.

“We shall be seeking a chairman and members of a managing trust who will take over the running of Cogges and will work with the Community Enterprise Group for the Witney area.

“In order to help that trust grow and get off the ground we shall pay £160,000 per year for its first three years in charge.

“In addition, we will give £250,000 matched funding for a Heritage Lottery Fund bid.”

The new trust will determine how the money is going to be spent.

Improvements will include better disabled access.

The long-term aim for the museum is to apply for lottery funding to help enhance the attractiveness of the site.

The lottery bid is thought to be in the region of between £1.5m and £2m Ideas for development of the site include a children’s theatre, a food market and a craft centre.

Mr Couchman added: “It is hoped Cogges will appeal to the wider community.

“At the moment it is for young families with young children, which doesn’t appeal to older children.

“There will be all sorts of other activities that the Community Enterprise Group wants to carry through.

“More people need to take an interest.”

The new trust is to take over the running of the museum when the current seasons finishes in August.