AN UPCOMING rapper claims a music centre which has been closed down changed his life.

Staff at the Meridian Music Centre, based at East Greenwich Library, mounted a campaign including a 1,000 signature petition to keep it open after Greenwich Community College, which runs it, announced cost-cutting plans.

But now the closure is confirmed, along with cuts to numerous other courses and a creche closure.

Centre manager Paul Hall said he was now looking at ways to keep the music courses running, but admitted time was running out before next term.

He warned: “If we don’t know by the end of this month then it’s probably going to be too late.”

Previous students include X-Factor contestant Rachel Adedeji and 23-year-old Forest Hill rapper Brainlokk, who has just played Glastonbury and is working with number one star Tinchy Stryder’s producer while studying at Westminster University.

Brainlokk said: “Before I started there I didn’t know about the music business and I didn’t have any GCSEs.

“I was there for two years and learned so much, doing something that I loved.

“It basically changed my life.

“It’s where a lot of the area’s talent has developed - you see a change in them. Where are the youths going to study music now?”

College principal Geoff Pine blamed cuts in government funding, and promised support for those affected.

He said: “We have reluctantly had to make these cuts to secure the future of the college and more importantly future training opportunities for local people.

"I would like to thank all staff and students for their constructive feedback during the consultation paper.

"As a result of their suggestions and some successful lobbying to key stakeholders we have been able to reduce the size of the cuts and make some concessions to the initial consultation paper.

"We will of course be supporting those students and staff immediately affected by the cuts.

"It is astounding that these cuts are happening to College’s locally, regionally and nationally at a time when local residents need skills training more than ever. ”