A GROUP of students are celebrating after they went on a journey of discovery, and received certificates to prove it.

They have all attended sessions on North Yorkshire County Council's Discovery Bus and been introduced to information technology (IT).

Their course was run at Kirklington, near Bedale, and was designed for newcomers.

The county council' s continuing education unit has three Discovery Buses, which travel to Hambleton, Richmondshire, and Ryedale and Eskdale, taking IT services to communities.

Each bus has eight computers, a scanner, printer and digital camera.

The county's executive member for lifelong learning, Councillor Jim Clark, said: "The key to the success of this course and the Discovery Bus project as a whole, is that we take IT into the community rather than the community having to come to us.

"If the bus did not travel out to villages, it is unlikely that these students would travel out to learning centres.

"The majority of students are retired, although all age groups are encouraged to take up Discovery Bus courses. People often come along with their partners, friends and neighbours, so it becomes not only learning, but a fun social event too."

Course dates and a Discovery Bus timetable is at www.localsonline.co.uk, alternatively, call (07970) 375422.