PEOPLE living in scattered villages have been taught how to use computers.

More than 300 people in rural east Cleveland have been taught basic computer skills thanks to Redcar and Cleveland College.

The Laptops in East Cleveland project, developed by the college and funded by the New Opportunities Fund, made 22 laptop computers available to people living inBrotton, Skelton and Lingdale.

Tracey Hart, the project's co-ordinator, said: "The target number of beneficiaries from our laptop scheme has been reached three months ahead of schedule and the project definitely proves that there is a demand for computer skills in rural areas."

Sessions covering a range of topics including word processing, the Internet and digital photography, are being run at community centres and schools in the area. Home visits and free loans of laptops are also available.

The aim of the project was to target people in isolated areas, particularly the unemployed, the over fifties and the disabled.

After attending sessions at her community centre, 57-year-old Marian Wheeler, from Margrove Park, is now more confident with computers.

She said: "The project presented me with an insight into computers and gave me a taste of something that I would not have otherwise tried. I now feel confident with my basic computer knowledge and am ready to develop my skills further."