A COMMUNITY is reaping the rewards of free computer access at a new facility.

The Electronic Village Hall was set up within the library entrance at the £20m Sandhill View Community Learning Centre, in Grindon Lane, Sunderland, with funding from several sources.

It opened in October and has been quick to attract interest from residents.

With 26 computers providing free access to the Internet and a range of software, the facility is designed as a resource for people who previously had little or no computer use.

Manager Caroline Gray said residents' suggestions on how the service could be developed were welcomed.

She said: "We are currently, for example, looking at setting up a local history group, which could use the computers to search through archive material on the Internet.

"We envisage such projects evolving to give individuals and groups a real sense of ownership of this facility."

Users of the facilities, who must be members of Sandhill View Library, are only charged for computer printouts