A new information technology centre will officially open on March 19 on Oxford's Northway estate.

The Northway IT Hub in Westlands Drive runs IT and computing courses and provides Internet access for residents.

The launch party, which starts at 2pm, will include a contest to design a new name and logo for the centre and an Internet treasure hunt.

Images of stars including Brad Pitt, David Beckham and Kylie Minogue will be projected on to a white board, so people can have photographs taken with their favourite celebrities.

The project was funded by Oxfordshire County Council and UK Online.

Hub manager Marie Burden said: "People can use the facilities to gain new IT skills and qualifications.

"At the moment we are running 'computers for beginners' and 'introduction to Word' courses.

"We are also planning to run e-mail and Internet taster classes and sessions for young people.

"The centre has already attracted a lot of interest and we hope to build on this."

Maureen Christian, Oxford City Council member for Northway, has been campaigning for the hub for years.

She said: "I think the hub will be absolutely invaluable to the community and useful for both children and adults.

"It is something that has been desperately needed for quite a long time.

"It will provide something for young people to do because there is very little on the estate for them.

"The only other facility is a youth club that meets on Thursday nights."