A COMPANY which makes carpets for the royal family has contacted Bishop Auckland College to help increase its skills.

Durham's Hugh Mackay Carpets has enlisted the help of Optimum, the services to business arm of the college.

Determined to secure its place as one of the region's most successful companies, staff at the factory have embarked on a programme known as Computing for the Terrified.

Sharon Bateman, information technology lecturer at Optimum, said: "Four groups have already completed the course and we have another group beginning this month.

"Level one involves basic introduction to computers, word processing, spread sheets and databases, all of which is completed over a 12-week period."

Kevin Wilson, branch secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "It has been a great success, even though some of the participant were sceptical at first.

"However, they really enjoyed it and their confidence rocketed once the course was under way."