PEOPLE over 50 are being encouraged to log onto the Internet at a Silver Surfers' Day.

The Shildon Project for the Initiation of Community Enterprise (Spice) is holding the event at its newly opened community access point and enterprise centre next Friday.

The idea behind the event is to encourage older people who may never have used a computer to go to the Church Street venue and give it a try.

Mike Stott, Spice company secretary, said: "There will be people over 50 who have never switched a computer on before.

"We do not want people to feel intimidated because they have never used a computer. We want them to come along and see what it is like. There will be people here who can offer advice.''

It is one of the first events to be held at the centre since it opened last month after receiving funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Community Enforcement Fund.

At the moment the facility is open from 10am to 3pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but it is hoped to get more volunteers, enabling it to open full-time.

People living in Shildon can access the computers free and Spice is hoping residents will take advantage of the opportunities offered.