Tempers flared on the Butts Farm Estate as residents gathered to discuss the future of their derelict community centre.

The dilapidated building has been caught in the middle of a fierce feud between local community group Zenith and educational trust Axis, which is planning to use the site to offer Turkish language classes for children.

In August, Hounslow Council's executive decided the lease should be divided between the two groups and encouraged them to work together to reopen the centre, in Saxon Avenue, Hanworth.

But now the twogroups have been told that Axis alone will control the building, giving only 'reasonable access' to other community groups.

Pensioner Joe Sando, who attended a discussion about the centre, on November 20, said: "That centre belongs to the people of Butts Farm and it should be used for them. The people don't realise - it's theirs and we should fight for it."

Other residents also voiced their concerns that local people might be pushed out of the centre.

"We're desperate for things for kids to do round here," said mum-of-two Melanie Langford. "When I was a girl there was always stuff on offer at the centre. I just want the same for my kids. Are we going to miss that opportunity?"

But local resident Oruc Gurhan, who is helping Axis on the project, succeeded in calming some of their fears by insisting there would be plenty of space for anygroup hoping to use the centre.

"We're hoping to expand into the roof," he said. "So there will be extra rooms we don't need for ourselves.

"I'm glad to see so many people are passionate about the centre. It's good to have support as I thought we were going to have to do everything ourselves."

Council leader Peter Thompson, pictured left, who chose to overrule the original decision, said he had chosen to hand the centre over to Axis because it had the funds and experience to get the centre open quickly.

He added: "I don't think some of the information Zenith has been putting out is that helpful. It is not their God-given right to run that centre. "Certainly, there is a risk that this will cause racial tension and Axis have some work to do showing the local community that they want to work with them. Getting that centre open quickly will benefit the whole community."

Zenith member Carla Willis-Smith said the group was more optimistic after speaking to Axis but still concerned about exactly how much access its members would get.