PEOPLE who sign up to The Northern Echo's CommuniGate scheme can now gain a web design qualification.

The scheme, which has helped hundreds of community groups to set up their own websites, has become a member of the Teesside Region Open College Network, which means that it can offer members a nationally-accredited certificate in basic web page design.

The Open College Network is a national body which offers learning opportunities and qualifications through non-traditional methods, such as in the workplace or the community.

Already, 30 members have signed up to take part in the certificate scheme. The service if free, like all those offered by CommuniGate, which is sponsored by Northumbria University.

Assistant community web editor Karen Maughan said: "We have always offered an excellent level of support to our CommuniGate members and we see the certificate programme as a natural extension to the great service we provide.

"We can offer a nationally-accredited qualification to someone just for building a web site with CommuniGate."

To find out more, visit www.communigate.co.uk/ne, e-mail communitynne.co.uk or call (01325) 505270.