Darlington Mayor Doris Jones proved that her duties are branching out into the world of technology when she helped to create a website for her local parish council.

Councillor Jones launched Middleton St George Parish Council's website, which has been created through The Northern Echo's CommuniGate scheme.

The scheme offers voluntary organisations help in setting up a website free of charge.

The Northern Echo's community web editor, Andrew Hutton, helped the mayor and members of the parish council to create the website, which will keep residents up to date on news in the Darlington area.

Brian Jones, chairman of Middleton St George Parish Council, said: "I am delighted to offer this facility to the residents of Middleton St George, and we are grateful to The Northern Echo and CommuniGate for their assistance.

"The website will contain details of the parish plan and parish council minutes and will be expanded in the future."

Councillor Jones said: "CommuniGate is a wonderful way for us to keep the residents of our village up to date with both borough and parish news items."

Thousands of voluntary organisations around the region have taken advantage of CommuniGate and the number is rising every day.

Mr Hutton said: "It is a really easy way to create a website and we are more than happy to visit organisations and help and advise them on setting up their own website."

To visit the Middleton St George website go to www.communigate. co.uk/ne/msgparish/