A CENTRE that helps people master computers, the Internet and e-mail has won an award for offering one of the best learning environments in the country.

Terminus 2, in Station Street, Saltburn, has won an award for being the most welcoming, best designed and most user-friendly learndirect centre in the UK in a competition organised by Ufi - the organisation which runs the nationwide group of learndirect e-learning centres.

Staff at Terminus 2 help people to learn skills and improve existing ones. The free courses have proved particularly popular with elderly people wanting to surf the Internet.

Centre manager Linda Shaw said: "We were delighted to win this award. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly and welcoming environment, so to have that recognised is really good news for everyone concerned."

"What we try to do is make the centre a place where people will want to come to again and again.

"Many people drop in at the centre and are surprised by the amount of courses that are on offer, so one of the first things we try to do is talk to them to find out exactly what they want to achieve."

To take part in a course, call staff at Terminus 2 on (01287) 626432.