PEOPLE in the Malvern area will be given the chance to learn basic computer skills, thanks to a £50,000 Government grant.

The money has been given to Malvern Hills College as part of a national scheme for expanding UK online centres.

The college plans to use the cash on a three-pronged initiative to bring computer education to more people.

Suzanne Carey, of the college, said: "We want to establish a permanent UK online centre in Malvern, though where exactly it will be hasn't yet been decided. "There will also be a mobile UK online centre using laptop computers, which will go round village halls and give introductory courses in computers.

"Villages which are interested in hosting one of these courses should contact my colleague Sally Hunt on 01386 712724."

Ms Carey said a similar scheme had been a great success when trialled in the Wychavon district.

"This is a very basic course called Introducing Computers, which is aimed at people who really know nothing about computers. It covers everything you need to know, starting with switching it on, using the mouse and so on.

"The importance is getting it out into the rural areas. A lot of the people who came on the course in Wychavon said they would not have been able to get to a college because of transport problems."

The Introducing Computers scheme is free but courses that follow on from it have to be paid for.

The final part of the scheme is to install permanent computers linked to the internet in parish halls or other venues in and around Malvern.

Ms Carey said these would include Welland, Upton, Holdfast and Colwall, along with one at the MHHYAT Foyer centre in Malvern Link.

"This will bring the capability for email and surfing the internet into these rural areas," she said.