PEOPLE power has saved the animals at a Worcester farm park after the owners pledged to close it down.

The popular park at Lower Wick looked set to shut after visitor numbers began to dwindle.

John Bennett blamed this on the foot-and-mouth outbreak that stopped people coming to enjoy the countryside.

But he also said the demands of the National Curriculum and general apathy had played their part.

Just 50 people visited the attraction over Easter out of an expected 500.

But after three weeks after a story appeared in the Evening News announcing its closure, so many people pleaded with the Bennetts to keep it open they are now giving it another go.

"Since the story went in the paper we have had so many visitors flocking to the farm park," said Mr Bennett.

"We really were going to close as business was so slow over Easter. But then people started asking us to keep it open, so as I told them, use it or lose it!

"We have decided to stay open and review the situation at the end of the year."

Luckily none of the animals on the farm park, part of a working farm which has 240 cows, has been affected by foot-and-mouth.

The chicks have now started to hatch which is an added attraction for the summer.

"We had some cygnets, pea chicks and goslings hatch this week," said Mr Bennett who established the farm park 11 years ago.

"Children visiting the park can also see the pygmy goat, shetland pony and donkey," he said.

Bookings for tours around the park and the 12th Century St Cuthbert's Church and Farm Museum are still being taken, and the farm shop is still being manned.