A COMPUTER training centre in Blackbird Leys has faced an unprecedented jump in demand and is appealing for extra help to keep its services free.

The Blackbird Leys Information Technology Zone (BLITZ) has almost tripled its running costs for the next 12 months in a bid to pay staff proper salaries.

It offers formal qualifications in IT as well as courses in Microsoft Office, web design and more to scores of residents from its hub in the community centre.

Pleading for funds from the parish council last week, director Nick Tills said: "We have got a considerable increase in student numbers.

"Because of that we need to run more courses, and therefore we need to hire the hub more, and costs have gone up from £7.50 per session to £10."

In the 2014-15 school year, BLITZ had 120 students, followed by 144 the following year.

Between now and the end of the 2016-17 school year Mr Tills said it likely to see 200 students through the doors.

Four members of staff run the centre between them and this year the budget has been increased from £14,000 to about £40,000 so they can receive a proper wage.

Mr Tills said: "Over the past few years we have been on a shoestring. I work about 25 hours a week and it is unsustainable.

We get paid for the teaching element, but none of the time spent preparing courses and setting them up, calling people, getting students enrolled and fundraising is covered.

"We are here trying to support the community, and can be a blessing to the community, but we can't give endless hours for zero pay."

Last week Blackbird Leys Parish Council decided to award BLITZ a total of £2,845.00 for hub and office hire, the most allotted to any community group so far this year.

Applications are also in with Oxford City Council and the Community Business Fund and staff continue to look for sources of other revenue.

In the meantime people in the area looking to sharpen up their IT skills are invited to join two more free courses starting at the end of this month.

A basic 'IT for beginners' course will start on Tuesday, February 21 from 9.30am to 11.30am and run for six weeks.

People looking to move into higher education can also take the ITQ Level 2 and 3, a nationally-recognised qualification, for 14 weeks from 9.30am to 3pm on Wednesdays starting on Wednesday, February 22. For more information on either course call 01865 806453.