A popular free book scheme for babies in Oxfordshire must not be allowed to die, according to the county council's executive member for culture and learning.

The Bookstart scheme, which provides free books to children aged eight months is under threat from next April, due to a £20,000 funding gap.

Local businesses are being asked for sponsorship, but county council executive member Neil Fawcett promised he would urge fellow executive board members to make sure the money was found by the council, if there was no alternative.

Since 1999, almost 30,000 Bookstart packs have been distributed in the county.

Rosemary Clarke, national co-ordinator for Bookstart, said Oxfordshire's scheme was one of only 10 out of 164 schemes in England facing a funding shortfall.

Library staff in Oxfordshire have urged private firms to come up with sponsorship to keep the scheme going until April 2004, when the Government is expected to provide extra money. But Mr Fawcett said he expected the council to find the necessary funding if no money was offered by private sponsors.

Mr Fawcett said he would raise the matter at an executive board meeting and added: "This is not a scheme that we would want to see dropped, even for one year.

"My expectation is that we would find the money one way or another, if an appeal to local businesses is not successful."

If the council does agree to fund the scheme, the money will come from the learning and culture budget.

Carol Stitson, the county's children's librarian, said: "It would be a major blow to parents if this scheme folded for a year."