The Athelstan Museum, which has increased by tenfold the number of visitors over the past few years, is seeking new volunteers.

But funding for two paid staff has run out after one year, and the museum is appealing for more help.

The museum has been tremendously successful since it was taken over from the former North Wiltshire District Council in April 2006.

Last July it moved to Malmesbury Town Hall following a £300,000 fundraising campaign and this year it won a place in the national finals of the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Volunteer coordinator Angela Sykes said: “A few years ago we were having just 1,000 visitors a year and we are now up to 10,000. This year it looks like we should beat that.

“I think we are a bench mark example of what can be achieved. It is booming but it doesn’t get there without a lot of hard work.”

She added: “Our paid staff were wonderful in helping to set up the museum.

“But now we’re back to the volunteers who were running the museum before.

“We are always in need of extra volunteers to keep going, especially on the education side. They are our lifeblood, we couldn’t function without them.

The museum is open seven days a week from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

To find out more, call (01666) 829258.