PIONEERING technology is transmitting invaluable help straight into pupils' homes across north Durham.

More than 300 free computers have been given to families in South Moor, Craghead and South Stanley as part of Derwentside District Council's Aspirations Begin At Home project (ABAH).

The council has joined forces with South Stanley School of Technology to sign up to a new website for pupils, teachers and parents, which aims to boost learning at home.

The website, created by The Guardian, is called Learnpremium, and costs ABAH about £1,800 for the school, but Councillor Janice Docherty said it was money well spent.

She said: "This is another step towards our vision of a virtual learning classroom in your own home.

"Access to the worldwide web is very exciting; it's the doorway to a whole new world, but that can be daunting when searching on one key-word can throw up literally thousands of sites.

"It gives pupils, teachers and parents a focus, taking them on a colourful, eye-catching journey through the curriculum." The site includes revision tips, tests with answers and feedback, and moving images.

There are also links to the Guardian's archives, where you can study more about subjects.

Tracy Orr, whose daughter, Toni, 12, is a pupil at the school, said: "It is really important to keep in touch with what your children are studying at school.

"Showing an interest can help motivate them to do more work and get higher grades which, in turn, gives them a much better chance of a bright future."