THE Museum of Dartmoor Life is again in need of volunteers to help run and maintain the attraction, ensuring it stays open.

The museum had a big year in 2011, celebrating its 30th birthday, and the main building having celebrated its bicentenary.

The museum is reliant on volunteers to help with day-to-day maintenance and running operations. In recent years, the museum has found it increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers, and is again appealing to the community for help.

There are a number of roles that need filling at the museum, from handy work and outdoor maintenance to welcoming visitors and roles with the Friends of the Museum Society.

Jenny How from the museum said: 'Volunteering at the museum is a great opportunity for anyone. It is a great place to learn skills that could help those looking to add things to their CV while looking for work.

'Perhaps you already have skills you can use that would be useful. Anyone with any sort of skills that they feel may be relevant, from customer service to DIY, should get in touch.

'The museum is also so atmospheric and has some beautiful exhibits. It really is wonderful, and we need all the help we can get to ensure that it stays open and running well. It is a great asset to the town, and we hope people will be able to help.'

A fully accredited independent charitable trust, the museum has an emphasis on the social history of Dartmoor and Okehampton, from pre-history to the present.

The March 2011 edition of the Museum Journal, the leading source for information on museums and galleries, chose the museum as a specialist collection well worth visiting.

Highlights include a pair of 14th century engraved bells which have links to Okehampton Castle, a bull-nose Morris pick-up truck, and a wide range of local artifacts.

The team at the museum will be holding a volunteer open day later in February but are already looking to hear from people interested in offering their help.

If you are interested in volunteering, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01837 52295.