Ref. 14087/5AN INTERNET cafe for disabled people faces the axe unless extra cash is found.

The Trowbridge Cyber Cafe for Disabled People provides one-to-one computer help for over 60 people who are partially sighted, deaf, mentally or physically disabled or have learning disabilities.

The centre, in Court Mills, is one of only three in the country but a withdrawal of funding means the computers could be switched off by Christmas.

Keith Turner, co-manager, said: "This is not just a service for people with disabilities to learn new skills, it plays a vital social role as well.

"The centre builds people's confidence and has helped many of its users secure jobs."

A recent cash injection of £3,500 from Trowbridge Town Council will keep the cafe running until Christmas but it will close if annual running costs of £30,000 are not found.

Roy Cox is blind and uses the cafe for the talking computers.

He said: "This is a lifeline for many people. You get the chance to sit down and chat with friends."

The cafe opened three years ago with grants from the Primary Care Trust and other organisations.

A spokesman from the west Wiltshire PCT, said: "Our agreement to fund the project ran out at the beginning of 2002 but we agreed to support it for an extra year.

"Sadly we had to stop this year and although we recognise it is a valuable service to its users it is not considered a primary business objective for the PCT."