An Oxford community is set to go online and benefit from much-needed IT facilities.

Oxford City Council's north east area committee is investing £76,000 to upgrade and expand Northway Community Centre.

The money will fund the upgrading of the centre's only current community room into a IT suite with up to 15 computers.

Four unused rooms in the adjoining sports centre will also be refurbished and taken under the control of the community centre.

City councillors said Northway Community Association — which runs the centre in Dora Carr Close, Headington — had demonstrated there was a real need for a more diverse programme of activities such as art, dance, sport and, in particular, computer training.

Northway Community Association secretary Graham Bellinger said: "The funding gives a fantastic opportunity for the community centre to open its doors to local residents.

"We are very excited about the development."

He said new IT facilities were particularly important following the closure of the IT Hub in Westland Drive, Northway, in May last year, due to a lack of funding.

He said: "It left a big hole — there are not many industries that don't involve some exposure to IT, so it's important that people have somewhere to develop their computer skills."

Mr Bellinger said the new IT facilities would particularly benefit children and senior citizens without access to computers.

He added: "We are hoping to have somewhere in the range of 10-15 computers. These will give local residents good opportunities to build up computer skills."

City councillor Antonia Bance, cabinet member for social inclusion and young people, said: "These plans will encourage local people to participate in learning and to develop their skills.

"We are committed to building stronger, more inclusive communities in Oxford and are thrilled we will be able to provide a local facility more able to meet the needs of local people."

The refurbishment is expected to begin next month and be completed early next year.