A BLACKBIRD Leys project which has just spent £7,000 on new office furniture and computers is lying empty after running out of cash.

The Starlight Community Project spent £11,500 from the European Social Fund on IT, literacy and numeracy classes in January.

It then got another £7,000 grant for new desks, chairs, six computers and other office furniture.

But managers say grants from public bodies have dried up because of the Government squeeze on spending, and private funds are giving out less as lucrative interest rates have fallen.

It is now appealing for help to continue.

Last night, co-ordinator Sue Funge said: “We are ready to roll, we’ve got new furniture and brilliant new computers, but right now we can’t pay our rent, phone, Internet, my wages. I haven’t had any wages for two months.

“I also can’t register learners. We really are at a stumbling block. I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen.”

She said £2,000 would see the group, based at Kingfisher Green, Greater Leys, through to January. It needs about £25,000 a year.

Its first run of courses trained 40 residents, with some going on to other courses at the Open College Network and Oxford and Cherwell Valley College.

Cash pledged by Blackbird Leys Parish Council and Oxford Brookes University was welcomed but will not cover core costs and would only be paid at the end of courses, she said.

Miss Funge said: “There is much rhetoric about stronger communities, the Big Society, breaking the cycle of deprivation, improving community cohesion, tolerance and understanding between different groups, but here we are, in the heart of a community that is often the focus of these debates.

“There seems no way we can continue.

“Do we face the sad and difficult decision to give up?

“We have a fantastic resource, but without securing more sustainable funding how can we continue?”

She said: “It was our vision of what ‘could be’ that has kept us going thus far, but is it time to throw in the towel and accept we failed?”

The project can be contacted on 01865 711756 or via starlightproject.co.uk