THE Northern Echo's CommuniGate scheme, which has helped community groups across the region set up their own websites, has reached a major milestone.

The Internet scheme now has 1,500 websites - making it by far the most successful scheme of its kind in the country.

CommuniGate became an instant success when it was launched in September 2000, and continued to grow with more and more groups coming forward to get on-line.

The initiative was designed to offer free advice to non-profit making organisations across the region to build their own website, and this week, Stockton Parish Church became the 1,500th group to sign up.

There are more than 100,000 visits per month to the many websites linked to the CommuniGate scheme.

It is designed for people who do not have any web-writing skills and aims to help them raise their profile.

And with about 50 groups signing up to the scheme each month, the next target of 2,000 could even be achieved by the end of the year.

Andrew Hutton, The Northern Echo's community web editor, said: "It is really simple and on top of that, we are here to offer advice and we can even come out and visit groups to talk them through the process. I am sure it will continue to grow and grow."

Mr Hutton, and assistant web editor Karen Maughan, also hold workshops every Wednesday, from 10am to noon, and on Thursdays, from 5pm to 7pm, in Darlington library, in Crown Street.

Anyone is welcome to attend to receive information and advice about the CommuniGate scheme.

Further details are also available by logging on to www.communigate.co.uk/ne, or by calling Mr Hutton on (01325) 505270.