MORE than 200 visitors explored 60,000 items as Oxfordshire County Council’s museums resource centre opened its doors to the public.

The open day on Sunday was the most successful ever, with people enjoying a rare chance to see items ranging from a Roman baptismal font to a 1950s Austin pedal car.

Centre manager Christiane Jeuckens said: “We had a record 230 visitors on the day, our most successful day yet. The visitors were people of all ages and there was something to be explored for everyone.

“We also had much useful and gratefully received help from our volunteers, who prepared different stalls for people to explore particular items.

“Maggy Cole, who is a volunteer and researcher at the centre, displayed a mid-19th-century sewing box which had revealed aspects of the owner’s domestic life, and Dr Esther Cameron showed off a Roman lead tank, circa fourth century AD, from the Roman villa site at Wigginton, believed to be a baptismal font and the earliest Roman Christian item found in the county.”

The centre, in Witney Road, Standlake, near Witney, will hold another open day in May next year.