AN URBAN farm in the heart of East Oxford is calling for help from the community to raise £10,000 so it can ‘take things to the next level’ and hire a part-time director.

Oxford City Farm has for the past decade been run entirely by volunteers but founder Lucie Mayer said with work stepping up at the Cornwallis Road site more support was needed.

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She explained: "It's a big year for us and until now it has all been the committee doing it in our spare time.

"We are at a point now though where we feel we have gone as far as we can and are ready to take things to the next level.

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She added: "Having a paid director, as well as a volunteer and partnership coordinator, will help us do a lot more."

The group have already managed to secure £15,000 from the Logan Foundation to help fund the two roles, with another £10,000 pledged if the farm can match it in donations from organisations, businesses and individuals.

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The 46-year-old, who dreamt up the project more than a decade ago as a way to educate people about food production and promote healthy living, said volunteers would 'remain at the heart' of the farm's work but the new positions would enable them to be better supported and to create new opportunities.

She said: "There are quite a few organisations who would like to work with us, to do with refugees and mental health, but at the moment we can't really expand because we haven't got the level of management needed."

Things have been picking up pace at the farm since the group signed a 40-year lease on their East Oxford home, which is near Florence Park, in February 2017.

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A planning application was approved by the city council in June to allow the group to build a toilet block, sheltered outdoor kitchen and temporary office at the site. Water and electricity was connected at the site in August. Ms Mayer said the office is due to be installed next month, with the outdoor kitchen and classroom space in April or May.

The mother-of-two added: "We want to have the funding in place by the end of May so we can start advertising and hopefully have people in place by mid-summer.

"It's a busy time for us and the sooner we have them in position the better. It's a really exciting step change and we can't wait."

See our pictures of lambs and live music at the farm's annual open day

The community project has already received massive support from local people, raising £12,000 in 2017 to open.

Since then it has worked with more than 250 beneficiaries and volunteers, delivered 16 skills development workshops, worked with four local school/scout groups, hosted 14 volunteer work parties, ran 26 probation team days and three corporate social responsibility days.

It has also produced and distributed approximately 200kg of fresh food.

To help support the farm visit here.