An Oxford charity which is having to leave rent-free premises after seven years is appealing for another organisation to share a new venue and help foot the bill.

Soundabout has used music therapy to help hundreds of severely disabled children communicate for the first time since it was set up in 1997.

Ormerod School in Waynflete Road, Barton, Oxford, which teaches children with physical disabilities and associated learning difficulties, has allowed it to use two offices in return for the charity working with its students.

Soundabout director June McKerrow said it had been asked to leave because the offices were needed as a base for workers to integrate students into mainstream schools.

Ormerod School is willing for Soundabout to use the school's hall for workshops.

The charity is also in need of more space and has found an ideal venue -- but cannot afford the rent.

It is appealing for another charity or organisation to share Thomley Barn, currently used as a conference centre, in Worminghall.

Ms McKerrow said: "The latest we can stay is until the end of term in July, so the situation is getting quite desperate.

"We've asked every special school in Oxfordshire if they have any space since we found out in November, but have had no luck.

"Thomley Barn is perfect, but we just can't afford the rent. We're not sure how we would work out sharing it, but we're open to all offers."

Anyone interested in sharing Thomley Barn should call 01865 744175.