A college is launching a range of digital training for the community to celebrate its status as a centre for vocational excellence.

Darlington College of Technology was granted the status last year and since then has invested in the latest digital media software.

The equipment includes 52 G4 Apple Macs as well as specialist publishing software such as Dreamweaver and Photoshop.

The media department will also unveil a new digital TV studio shortly.

Tony Metcalf, head of the school of journalism, media and the arts, said: "The people of Darlington and the Tees Valley have one of the UK's leading specialist training centres on their doorstep.

"For many people, their jobs or leisure pursuits increasingly involve working in digital media.

"Darlington College's facilities are easily the best in the region, and we are determined that our local communities will benefit."

The college is running a series of introductory courses in Dreamweaver. As part of the course fee, students will be give 10MB of free web space, which will be active for three months.

There are other courses in Photoshop 7 and Quark Express.

For more information on dates and times of courses, call the college's customer services line on (01325) 503030.