The cost of entry to South Woodham Ferrers' Marsh Farm is to soar by up to 40 per cent in a bid to save it from closure.

Essex County Councillors made the decision at an Environment and Transport subcommittee meeting on Thursday in an attempt to rebuild and develop the farm, which is owned by the county council, following the foot and mouth disaster last year.

According to councillors the farm is running at a loss and unless the price is increased it will either have to close or money will have to be taken from other budgets, such as social services.

The council was unable to charge full prices during 2001 because 1000 animals were destroyed in the foot and mouth crisis. Only 50,000 people visited the farm throughout the year compared to 113,000 in the previous year.

The increases will mean an adult ticket rising from £2.95 to £5 and the cost of a child ticket going from £1.85 up to £2.50.

Many schools use the farm for educational purposes and some councillors fear that schools will no longer be able to afford to take pupils on the visit.

Member on the council's environment and transport committee Cllr Keith Bobbin said: "Marsh Farm is intended to help educate children about animals and farm life, we believe that these huge price increases will deter visitors. It is a direct tax on Essex families."

Cllr Tracey Chapman, cabinet member for the environment, said: "I understand fully. If we could provide the farm funding it would be wonderful but we can not.

"I am looking to the future to make sure Marsh Farm continues."

Published Tuesday January 15, 2002