ALMOST half of the hard-up families given grants for laptops courtesy of the taxpayer still haven't bought them.

And now an MP is warning them to act quickly or face losing the money as the deadline nears.

As part of a £300m government scheme to give children from poorer families computer access to help their education, credit cards were given to a number of families in Oldham.

The town was chosen alongside Suffolk to pilot the scheme. Most of the Barclaycards had £600 credit but families with children with learning difficulties were given higher amounts.

In total, 3,748 families in the town have received them. They are redeemable at various IT suppliers.

But the M.E.N. can reveal that 46 per cent - around 1,500 families - have still not used them. The cards expire three months after they are sent out.

It is understood some families may be holding on to the cards until their children's birthdays. But council chiefs believe many are now nearing the expiry date. Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas urged parents to act quickly.

He said: "This is a really good scheme and we are lucky to pilot it.

"We need to drill deep to find out why this has happened. What we want to do is raise the ambition of youngsters in our town.

"I suppose even if only half benefit it is worthwhile." immigration minister Mr Woolas added: "Come on Oldham - use it or lose it."

Deputy leader of Oldham council Jackie Stanton backed Mr Woolas's call.

She said: "It is really important that people who have been awarded a Home Access grant act now and use their grant card before it is too late.

"The council want to make sure that as many people as possible can benefit from the pilot scheme, and are aware of the expiry date of their card."

In Suffolk the number of those who have still not used their cards is thought to be much lower - around 20 per cent.