Staff and clients from advice centres won an early victory after demonstrating yesterday about council moves to axe their funding.

Sixty people protesting outside County Hall in Oxford, warned that thousands would be hit by the cuts in some of the region's poorest estates.

But protesters were delighted when a watchdog committee voted to call upon the county council cabinet to maintain the funding when it meets on December 19.

The centres provide advice on carers, housing, reducing debts and applying for disability allowances and benefits.

Oxfordshire County Council is preparing to cut funding to advice centres at Rose Hill & Donnington, Blackbird Leys, Barton, Oxford's Chinese Advice Centre and a centre in Banbury.

The demonstration was organised in advance of a meeting of the council's Social and Community Services Scrutiny Committee.

Carole Roberts, manager of the Rosehill and Donnington Advice Centre, said: "We were delighted with the decision which gives us real hope. But we have only won the first battle, not the war."

The county council provides about 25 per cent of funding for the centres, amounting to about £13,000 a year for each centre. The centres say the cut would mean cuts in staffing, reductions in opening hours and even the cancellation of all home visits to disabled clients.

Jim Couchman, cabinet member for social care and policy coordination said: "We have heard what the scrutiny committee has said and the cabinet will thoroughly examine this issue when it meets on December 19." .