HUNDREDS of Oxfordshire charities will be able to train train their workforce in a new high-tech training suite in Oxford.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA), which supports charities in the county, opened a new training suite at its centre in Floyds' Row off Abingdon Road.

The room has been kitted out with WiFi, a digital projector and has space for up to 20 people.

But the new suite would not have been usable without the help of Bicester firm Oxford Office Furniture which has learnt OCVA furniture for the room.

The charity's systems and support manager Trevor Barton said: "Without the furniture loan there would have been no training suite.

"Since it's used to provide essential training for all of Oxfordshire's voluntary and community groups, the furniture makes all of that training possible.

"They're helping the whole county's charities in one go and we are so pleased it is a low-cost hire venue."

The Oxford Office Furniture suite is now available to not-for-profit groups from £25 an hour and groups will also have the use of a kitchen.

Mr Barton said Oxford Office Furniture had also helped out with another room in the charity.

He added: "They've also kitted out another room at the back for hot desking.

"Charities can phone ahead and book a desk as needed.

"It's great that local businesses like this one want to work with charities - funds are so tight in the sector.

"OCVA wants to see more corporate social responsibility for the sector it leads and could even do with more itself."

Established in 1933, OCVA provides advice and training to the voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire.

Andrew Colwell, from Oxford Office Furniture said the company was delighted to be able to help.

He said: "We want to help make a difference so we are excited by how the donated furniture will make a difference to their work.

"We regularly help charities, community groups and clubs and societies, but with OCVA we enable them to concentrate their budget on helping provide services to the whole of Oxfordshire's charitable and not-for-profit sector.

"We are fortunate as a business which provides new and used quality furniture, we have a lot of success and its always good to give something back.

"We look forward to a long lasting, ongoing relationship with OCVA."

Nominations are now also open for the OCVA Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards 2016.

For the sixth consecutive year, the charity encourages residents to nominate their favourite volunteer and organisation in the county.

Last year the Yellow Submarine Charity and Cafe, in Park End Street, scooped the prize.

Nominations close on March 31, and forms can be filled out online at ocva.org.uk/awards