THE future of Age Concern computer sessions in Petersfield has been thrown into doubt after Hampshire County Council announced vital funding was to be slashed.

Charity organisers have described as "disgusting" and "scandalous" a decision by the Learning and Skills Council to reduce contributions towards the scheme. And learners will now have to fork out between £3 and £4 an hour to make up the financial shortfall or face losing the popular service.

Age Concern Hampshire's UK Online computer sessions have proved a massive success in the area.

But now there are fears participation could dwindle, with higher prices putting pensioners off.

Jane Ogden-Swift, treasurer for the Petersfield branch of Age Concern, said: "It would be such a shame if we ran into trouble. A terrific number of people use it.

"When we first started we had a waiting list of over a year. Even now the waiting list is three months.

"I think the extra cost could drive the numbers down, because the weekly pension is dreadful."

More than 600 people a year aged 50 and over flock to the Hampshire UK Online sessions, which also take place in Bordon.

Chris Perry, director of Age Concern Hampshire, believes it is the "one-to-one" format which attracts people to the lessons. But he admits changes may have to be made to keep the scheme afloat.

He said: "We are very disappointed that the Learning and Skills Council does not recognise the unique contribution of our computer sessions.

"For most of our clients a classroom setting would not work. They are often very scared of computers, and only the personal attention we can give meets their needs.

"It gives them new skills, lets them meet new people and keeps them mentally active - all attributes which meet Age Concern's purpose of enabling people to be as independent as they want for as long as possible.

"We also know that many of our learners are on pension credit and can ill afford to pay.

"We will do all we can to identify alternative sources of funding.

"In the meantime we would ask people to be as generous as they can to enable this much- needed service to continue."

Organisers put the price of providing each computer session at £5. This covers items such as room hire, insurance, telephone and broadband cost, paper and ink, repair of equipment, training and travel expenses for volunteers.

Age Concern Petersfield is due to organise a meeting of its trustees in September, and chairman Janice Cotton is hopeful lessons will continue.

"At the moment we are running our next session as we always have. But there are obviously a number of people who enjoy the course who would find it difficult to pay the fee," she told The Herald.

"We are concerned about it, but at the moment we are still getting lots of applicants."

A spokeswoman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Learning and Skills Council said the organisation had been asked by the government to make adjustments in its fund allocations.

She said: "Our instructions are to use our funding for adults who have low levels of literacy and qualifications.

"So that is where the majority of money has been redirected in this case."