A wave of relief has greeted the news that a family centre in Kidlington looks set to continue.

Trustees of the Kaleidoscope Centre in Oxford Road have gratefully welcomed a lifeline thrown to them by Oxfordshire County Council, which they hope will have secured their future.

The centre, which includes a creche, an events venue, and drop-in service for local families, was faced with having to close by the end of the month because of lack of funding.

But the county education's department stepped in at the eleventh hour with a rescue package of proposals, which included money to help them with the transition to a new budget, and a short-term action plan.

Cherwell District Council also helped by agreeing to renew its annual grant of £3,500.

One immediate change is that an after-school club has decided to go independent of the centre and take up an offer made by the Edward Feild Primary School in Kidlington of a spare temporary double classroom on its site for use by about 35 families.

There will also be staff changes at the centre, with a co-ordinator instead of an overall manager, a creche supervisor and creche workers, and an advice assistant.

Devena Rae, chairman of the trustees, said after their meeting: "It's wonderful news! We decided there is a way we can now stay open based on the plan put forward to us, and we are very grateful to the county council for their help.

"Over the next two months we have to produce a business plan to look at how to deliver the services which are already well-used by the community, and to come up with fresh ideas for the future, such as a baby cafe.

Ms Rae described the decision of the after-school club to move to the school as "a wrench", but added: "I think it will be best in the long run, as the club ran between 3pm and 6pm each weekday, and everything else at the centre had to stop. I'd like to thank all the local people who campaigned on our behalf."

Manager Sue Laverty, who is due to discuss her position with the trustees, said: "I'm really pleased for the people of Kidlington.

"They would have had nowhere to go if we had closed, and Oxfordshire County Council have been very generous to us."

Caroline Adair, the co-coordinator of the Kidlington Twins Club, whose 25-member families also meet at the centre, had the good news broken to her by the Oxford Mail.

"I'm really pleased," she said. "We have about seven to 10 mums come every week, and we need the kitchen to make tea, and the toys for the kids. It's going to save us a lot of hassle."

Chris Sewell, Oxfordshire County Council's family and community support manager, said: "This is a first step. The extra funds will ensure a smooth transition to a balanced budget.

"The centre provides a valuable service for the community."