Shugborough prices are frozen for visitors

Charges for admission will remain static for a third consecutive year while a radical restructure of staffing is going well, according to bosses. Thirty-four of 66 posts in the visitor service sector at the site have been cut but further job losses have been all but ruled out.

Shugborough's programme has also been scaled back as a result of the latest round of cutbacks, which will save £148,000.

Staffordshire County Council made a plea for volunteers when the latest cost-cutting measures were announced in October.

And today they told how candidates had been phoning on a daily basis offering to take over work previously carried out by paid employees. A marketing campaign will be launched in January to co-ordinate volunteers and an open day will be held for potential recruits.

Consultation on the proposed restructuring programme finished at the end of November and details of appointments are due to be finalised in the new year.

County councillor Pat Corfield, cabinet member for culture and communities, said: "Shugborough is one of our most treasured attractions and we want to ensure that it continues to provide an exciting visitor experience for many years to come.

"The estate is expensive to run and as a council we need to make sure that we are providing taxpayers with good value for money."

Attractions confirmed for next year include the Mos-cow State Circus, the Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular picnic concert announced today and a series of craft shows and theatre productions.