VOLUNTEERS from the Midcounties Co-op picked up strimmers and shovels to help out at Cogges Manor Farm Museum in Witney.

Sixteen members of staff from Oxford spent a day helping cut back overgrowth at the farm's car park.

They also restored a lavender bed and did some reseeding.

Co-op head of audit and risk Gordon Wilkins, front, was among those helping out.

He said: “When I heard volunteers were needed to carry out work at Cogges Manor Farm I got a group of colleagues together to help.

“It was hard work but we enjoyed it. There was a good team spirit and a lot of laughs.”

He said staff were keen to return to help out further.

The farm, a living museum demonstrating rural life in the Victorian era, is currently being renovated. It will reopen to schools and community groups at a date yet to be announced.

Oxfordshrie County Council museums services manager Carol Anderson said: “We’re really grateful to Midcounties for their support.

"They worked incredibly hard and it has really made a difference to the site.

“The lavender garden in particular looks beautiful.”