PEOPLE in the North-East who do not have access to the Internet could soon be surfing the information superhighway, thanks to more than £800,000 in grants.

The £867,146 boost, announced by the New Opportunities Fund today, will boost Internet access at eight libraries and community centres.

Darlington Borough Council receives £160,000 to create information technology (IT) UK online centres in three deprived areas, plus £72,556 to Crown Street library for 20 Internet-access computers.

Durham County Council has received a grant for former minefield areas in Durham and Sunderland.

The £99,801 will help set up a Mining Online Learning Environment to look at the industry's heritage and encourage people in the areas to return to learning.

South Tyneside council has been awarded £275,000 for two IT centres, to provide online learning for shoppers at Hebburn Shopping Centre and residents near the Whitburn School Community Association.

Archon 2000 Ltd, in Stockton, Teesside, has received £67,022 for a new online centre in the town, while Stockton and Billingham College has been awarded £50,000 for a learning shop in Billingham.

A £48,899 grant has been received by the East Northumberland Regeneration Initiative for five learning centres in West Morpeth.