The owner of a popular attraction hopes it can be saved from closure.

Fancy's Farm, in Glacis on Portland, is a community interest company run by volunteers but has been in a dire financial situation as the cost-of-living crisis bites hard.

As previously reported in the Echo, rising costs – particularly of food – have made running the farm unsustainable.

But now the owner of the farm Su Illsley says that she has found a solution that could keep the farm going indefinitely despite the harsh financial climate. 

She has submitted an application to Dorset Council to use part of the front of the site to host 25-30 pitches for caravan and camping from Easter to the end of October.

The site has had a 28-day licence for camping for the past three years to help subsidise the farm for, but the new plan would greatly extend the number of days it can be used. The plan has not received final approval, but Su is hopeful.

She said: "We have had no objections so we should hear in the next couple of weeks. Everyone that needs to has supported it, Heritage England and the wildlife people didn't object so hopefully it is good.

"It is great. We never wanted to close, it is just the financial side of it. This means the farm can continue with another source of income.

"It (running the farm) is still very difficult because prices are still very high and donations low, but with the campsite, we will have enough to keep going."

Dorset Echo: The proposed siteThe proposed site (Image: Dorset Council)Read more: "I can't see it surviving" - rising costs threaten Portland farm

The farm is free to enter and home to animals such as Portland sheep, goats, donkeys and wallabies. The farm has been a feature of the island for 12 years.

Su added: "Hopefully we have found a solution in this difficult climate and we will be around for years to come."

A community interest company is a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

Donations to the farm can be made through PayPal via donations@fancysfarm.co.uk or visit www.fancysfarm.co.uk