OXFORD, UK.- The Oxford City Council has decided to extend until March, 2008, the free entrance to the Museum of Oxford. The museum features Oxford's social history. After a seven-week trial period attendance increased 67% after the entry charges were eliminated. City councillors have decided to extend free entrance for a further 15 months to allow a year-round assessment of visitor numbers.

Council leader John Goddard said: "The idea of free museum entry is absolutely right. This is a very important element of people growing up in Oxford, learning something about the social history."

City council officer Claire Newport said: "It is the general opinion in the museum and wider cultural sector that admission charges create a limiting effect on usage and that removal leads to an increase in visitor numbers. The evidence suggests the trial has been a huge success. Extending free admission for a full year would allow a thorough review of who our audiences are, how to market them and the differing trends throughout the seasons."