Special event days at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse attracted more than 15,500 people through the attraction's gates last year.The large figure is on top of the number of regular visitors who visited the museum and working farm in 2008.

Special event days at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse attracted more than 15,500 people through the attraction's gates last year.

The large figure is on top of the number of regular visitors who visited the museum and working farm in 2008.

Now, with an extensive programme of events for 2009, staff at Breckland's most popular tourist attraction are hoping to attract even more people in the coming year.

Events co-ordinator Alison Tebbit said: 'It was a very good year and are hoping to repeat the success this year.

'The events programme is a major part of the museum's year, however, events are more than just numbers.

'They help us to forge bonds with new audiences, encourage new ways of viewing our collections, broker new partnerships with outside organisations and remind us of why and who we serve as a museum.

'We shall continue to offer our extensive school holiday programme throughout the year and in 2009 I look forward to working more closely with my colleagues to continue to offer a relevant, varied and exciting programme for our visitors.'

Mrs Tebbit also thanked the museum's volunteers and Friends of Gressenhall who support the events programme throughout the year.

The museum hopes that 2009 will also see improvements to its tea room.

It has applied for planning permission to make alterations to the inside of the caf� and improve disabled access to the facility.