LITTLE Bethan Howitt is only three years old - but she already knows her way around a computer keyboard.

Despite her tender years, Bethan, above, is already a keen Internet surfer and her favourite website features the TV favourite, Bob the Builder.

Bethan attends Darlington College Childcare Centre, at Catterick, where staff have now issued a challenge to find the youngest Internet surfer in the country.

All children at the centre are given free Internet and e-mail access, enabling them to get to grips with computers from a young age.

The e-mail service has proved particularly popular with youngsters who have parents serving with the Army overseas.

Childcare manager Helen Nixon said: "Computers and the Internet are very much part of their future, so it is important that children are exposed to the technology as early as possible, and are taught how to use computers while they are still young."