A COMMUNITY centre has been kitted out with computers and internet access which residents can use for online tasks from job hunting to homework.

Middlestone Moor Community Centre, near Spennymoor, can now provide a greater range of services thanks to its ICT project.

Durham County Councillor for Spennymoor, Coun Kevin Thompson, gave £9,500 of neighbourhood budget cash, topped up to almost £11,000 from his member’s initiative fund to buy six laptops, printing facilities and a superfast broadband internet connection along with maintenance and security.

A £1,800 grant from housing company livin paid for four more devices.

The new kit has enabled outreach workers to encourage to more young people to visit the centre, some of whom have used the computers to search and apply for jobs or to study.

One of the first projects they were used for was an employability course to help people seek work at the Hitachi train factory in Newton Aycliffe.

Coun Thompson said: “I was involved in getting superfast broadband in Byers Green 18 months ago and realised how many local people couldn’t access the internet because of availability or cost so I wanted to put this facility in a central, community setting.

“Already it has helped outreach workers get young people off the street, doing constructive activities and given job hunters access to Hitachi.

“I hope it will be used for courses, to get older people online, more youth activities and hopefully Job Centre will come in to help the unemployed.”

Michael Wilkes, coordinator of Spennymoor Area Action Partnership, said: “The AAP has been happy to support Cllr Thompson in the provision of the ICT equipment for the centre and it is fantastic to see it being used in a variety of situations, not only supporting local people as they look to improve their employment prospects but also supporting groups within the centre, such as the regular youth group who access the centre.”