NETWORK gaming sessions are being offered free at libraries and youth centres.

Stockton Borough Council's Library Service is teaming up with CyberChaos Ltd to run the sessions on Saturdays next month, from 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 4pm, at the following locations:

February 4, Newtown Community Resource Centre; February 11, Stockton Central Library; February 18, Newton Community Resource Centre; February 25, Stockton Central Library

The council's neighbourhood renewal team is funding the events.

Helen Wilberforce, children and young person librarian for the council, said: "These online gaming events are always extremely popular with youngsters, so much so that they are regularly oversubscribed.

"Holding events like these help us to remove the divide between those who have access to computers and those who do not."

The event is aimed at youngsters 11 and over, but places must be booked at the library or centre they wish to attend.

To book at the Newtown Community Resource Centre, call (01642) 614126. For Stockton central library, call (01642) 526522.