A WEST Oxfordshire tourist attraction which has been closed for two years is set to reopen next month.

Cogges Manor Farm Museum, in Witney, was run by Oxfordshire County Council, but it withdrew funding in 2009 after financial losses.

Volunteer-run Cogges Heritage Trust has taken over and is due to sign a lease this week, in readiness for the planned opening on Sunday, July 17.

But future funding for the Church Lane attraction has not yet been secured.

Trust chairman Judy Niner said: “It is very much our hope that we will be opening on July 17. We know how much people want it open and we need to open to start to bring in revenue.”

About 50 volunteers have signed up to help the trustees.

The museum will be open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10am to 5pm, until October.

Weekend entry will cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for school-age children. On weekdays, the trust will ask for donations from visitors. Season tickets will be £12.50 for adults and £7.50 for children.

Volunteers will run weekend activities, including trails and arts workshops. Planned events include a beer festival.

Only the grounds and cafe will be open on weekdays.

The farm must be self- funding in two years, when West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council cash runs out.

Ms Niner said: “We need a number of revenue streams in place, which will reduce our vulnerability to one market or another reducing.”

The museum cost Oxfordshire County Council £240,000 a year to run and had 30,000 visitors annually.

Mother-of-three Rachel Faulkner was brought in last month as centre director, but left last Friday.

She said: “It is a massive challenge for somebody, with the level of commitment, and at this time it is just not right for me.”