FIRMS on Teesside struggling to get ahead on the information superhighway are being offered help.

Computer expert Dr Alan Jones is inviting medium-sized and large companies to a free seminar.

He said: "Broadband is close to reality for most businesses, but to exploit this new channel of marketing and customer communication requires vision, joined-up thinking and investment in skills. This seminar will help point the way.''

Professor Mike Lockyer and Alastair Waite, managing director of Onyx Internet, are the main speakers.

The seminar will be at the University of Teesside Centre for Enterprise, Victoria Road, Middlesbrough, next Thursday, from 7pm until 9pm.