A BLACKBIRD Leys-based charity has vowed to continue providing for families in the area even if children's centres across the county close.

The Peeple Centre, whose funding from Oxfordshire County Council is under threat, said it was "fully committed" to supporting families in Blackbird Leys, Rose Hill and Littlemore in the long term.

The charity – which supports parents and carers, babies and children to learn together – has asked for an extra three years to secure funding and submit plans for an office base in Blackbird Leys.

In an application to extend planning permission for the office, the charity said remaining in the area was vital amid the threat of children's centre closures.

The application read: "It will enable us to continue to deliver quality affordable services to the local community – we have ongoing projects in the Blackbird Leys, Greater Leys and Littlemore areas that are not dependent on children's centre funding and which will become even more vital to supporting local families when existing centres close.

"We will be able to provide additional services to bridge the gap left by the closures."

Oxfordshire County Council had planned to withdraw funding for all 44 of the county's children's centres and seven early intervention hubs to save £8m.

They would be replaced with eight 'children and family centres' used by a new £12m service for children and young people aged up to 19, with centres at Banbury, Bicester, Abingdon, Didcot and Witney, with three in Oxford, at Rose Hill, Barton and Blackbird Leys.

Earlier this month it was announced children's centres would remain open until March 2017 but plans for their future remain unclear.

Chief executive officer Dr Sally Smith said the charity - set up 21 years ago - would continue to support families in the area even without children's centre funding.

She said: "We are highly committed to remaining a trusted organisation that provides services for families in the area.

"We have different streams of funding and we can still support targeted families and those who are most vulnerable.

"It's the early intervention with some children that is so important.

She added: "We have always been part of the community in the Leys and Rose Hill and we are here to stay."

Mother-of-three Amanda Rogers, from Blackbird Leys, uses the Rose Hill Children's Centre with her two-year-old daughter Ava.

The 40-year-old said the potential loss of the centres would be a huge blow but that Peeple's promise was a boost for local mums.

She said: "There are lots and lots of families that need these services I can't even begin to tell you how much they do for people whether it be making them a hot meal or spending time with a social worker.

"It will be a crying shame if we lose them but if there is still going to be something in the area and groups and classes then that's really good news.

"These people are amazing and I know they will find a way to make it work."

The charity also said the office would provide a base for its practitioners and support staff who regularly work with local families through workshops and programmes such as antenatal parenting classes and sessions to help parents improve their child's learning.

To find out more about the charity visit peeple.org.uk