AN appeal has gone out to find Internet pen friends for people who are learning English from abroad.

Ruth Harnish, of Hartlepool, has set up a website for people around the world to learn English as a second language.

Her site has attracted 200 members and she also runs a mailing list.

But she says her members are looking for people to exchange e-mails or letters to help them practice their English.

She would also like to hear from any teachers who would be keen to link up child pen pals from other countries with their pupils.

The website is www.friends-in-english.net and Ruth can be e-mailed at ruth@friends-in-english.net

Other people appealing for information include:

Meg Parkes of Liverpool. Mrs Parkes is searching for information on an ex-Far Eastern prisoner of war from the North-East who was captured in Java in March 1942.

The young soldier, believed to have been called Lance Corporal John Vincent McDonald, was serving in the Royal Corps of Signals. He sadly died on November 19 1942 on the voyage from Java to Japan aged 29. His wife was called Sarah and the pair hailed from Darlington.

Mrs Parkes is trying to trace any of his family who may still live in the area. She can be contacted on 0151 632 0520.

John Campbell of Bishop Auckland. Mr Campbell is looking for information on his grandparents, John Turner Weightman and Mary Weightman nee McQuillan of 62 Beeby Street, Workington. His mother, Mary Campbell nee Weightman, lived in Crook, County Durham, from about 1930.Her brother may have lived in the Leeds area. Mr Campbell can be e-mailed on campbell33@talk21.com.

Raymond Wells of Cumbria. Mr Wells is trying to trace two daughters of the late Albert Metcalf Wells, Maureen and Christine.

Albert's first wife was Connie Musgrave and they lived at Darlington and later Redcar. Albert went to live at 41 Snaefell Terrace, Woodhouse, Whitehaven and his parents were Ben and Ethel Maud Wells. His sister Edith lived in Trinity Drive, Workington. Albert had a son by his second marriage who is also called Raymond.

Mr Wells can be contacted on 01228 711219.