A NORTH Devon tourist attraction which closed down last summer could be re-opened in time for the Easter holidays — if a buyer can be found in time.

North Devon Farm Park closed in early September after a bad summer season which saw visitor numbers drop dramatically.

The farm had been operating as a leisure and tourism attraction for nearly 30 years, but saw a downturn in fortunes when owner Graham Clarke stopped managing the business personally and took a step towards semi-retirement.

Since 2005 Marsh Farm has been let to various tenants but Mr Clarke has now put it on the market for sale.

He says he would love to see it re-opened as an attraction.

"It was a very popular attraction and a lot of people loved going there."

Mr Clarke said the farm, which dates back to the 15th century, would also serve as a working farm or a retirement home.

But he thinks it represents too much of a business opportunity as an attraction for that.

"There are so many features to make use of at the park. We had ancient woodland, a forest with a herd of Sika deer living in it, high hills overlooking Barnstaple to Baggy Point and several natural spring-fed lakes and ponds.

"There's also the mine and quarry and a museum too."

Simon Forman, of Stags estate agents, said: "We've had a lot of interest."

Mr Forman also said if a buyer for the farm wanted to re-open it as a tourist attraction then he expected them to be in a position to do so by Easter.

The Farm Park, otherwise known as Marsh Farm, was opened in 1984 as a rare breed centre, before being developed as an attraction.