Reaping the benefit: The free entry scheme was to thank the public for their support

More than 7,000 people went through the turnstiles after the cash-hit west Wales site, known as Middleton, threw open its doors and dropped its �6.95 admission charge.

Sunday saw a record attendance, with more than 4,500 visitors by 1600 BST. It came after almost 3,000 people visited on Saturday.

The surge in customers has been described as "overwhelming" as the garden's trustees prepare for a meeting on Monday which may prove crucial in the fight to keep the receivers at bay.

Evelyn Thurlby, Middleton's chief operating officer said: "This record-breaking weekend has been truly overwhelming.

This weekend means that all parties involved in discussions will be redoubling our efforts to ensure the long-term future of the garden Evelyn Thurlby

"We've had such positive feedback from visitors - their comments to staff during their visit have underlined just how important having a national botanic garden is for Wales."

The usual admission charge was waived for the weekend after it emerged Carmarthenshire County Council and the Millennium Commission would help to bail out the attraction which was created with �43m of Lottery cash.

The move was aimed at thanking the public for their continued support as the garden, thought to have an overdraft of almost �2m, continues negotiations with the Welsh Assembly Government.

The trustees also have to decide whether or not to accept the offer of �150,000 which the Welsh Assembly Government has put on the table.

The cash would keep the garden operating for another month.

'Long-term future'

But the decision has been deferred until Monday.

The garden - opened in May 2000 by Prince Charles - has already had �1.4m of assembly money this year to ease its costs and fund a marketing drive which failed to stem the decline in visitor numbers.

Ms Thurlby added: "The fact that over 7,500 visitors came to Middleton this weekend means that all parties involved in discussions will be redoubling our efforts to ensure the long-term future of the garden for Wales."