A computer scheme which attracts more than 800 users a month on an Oxford estate is facing closure when funding runs out later this year.

Blitz - the Blackbird Leys Information Technology Zone -- was set up with cash from the Government's Office of the South East, the New Opportunities Fund and Oxfordshire County Council.

The funding ends in June and staff fear a vital community resource will be lost unless the annual running costs of between £20,000 and £25,000 can be met.

Similar schemes in Barton, Wood Farm and East Oxford are also facing closure later this year.

Mike Kelly, project support manager of Blitz, which is based in the Linx Community Centre in Blackbird Leys Road, said the centre had been a phenomenal success so far.

He said: "There's no place in Oxfordshire that performs like this place. We turn over 830 users in one month with 10 PCs. What we are doing is unique and if this place closes, you are going to lose something that's of tremendous value to the community."

Since the centre opened in July 2002, more than 80 IT qualifications have been awarded to users. Other people use the facility to access the Internet, e-mail, learn to build web pages, or type letters and CVs.

Staff have also shown people how to apply for visas, passports and tax benefits online and a youth IT centre, to be run by young people themselves, is planned. Organisers hope to tie the youth centre in with music recording facilities at the community centre.

Mr Kelly said the Blitz scheme had been of particular benefit to residents who struggled with literacy.

He said: "People who have maybe had a bad experience at school or would never normally come into a learning institution are given one-to-one support and they go away feeling more confident."

Bob Avery, vice chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said: "It wouldn't be a shame if this closes, it would be a crime. Under no circumstances should this centre even be considered for closure. The number of people who use this place just proves how valuable it is and how much the people want to come here."

The council agreed to approach Oxfordshire County Council for funding to keep the centre running.