PLACES have been snapped up on County Durham's free computer skills training courses.

The courses were fully booked within days of getting under way at Annfield Plain, Pelton, Ferryhill, Spennymoor and Willington libraries.

So far, about 40 people are taking part in the courses, which give them the chance to learn basic computer skills and introduce them to word processing, spreadsheets, databases and the Internet.

More than 20 others are on waiting lists to take part in sessions.

Anyone receiving state benefits or a pension, or who is on a New Deal programme or planning a return to work can enrol for the courses.

Nigel Canaway, Durham County Council's assistant director of Arts, Libraries and Museums, said: "We've had a tremendous response very quickly and the demand is far greater than we anticipated.

"To cater for everyone, we intend to run a second set of courses in the autumn, and we will be looking at the possibility of increasing the number of locations."

The courses are linked to the New Opportunities Fund training programme that enables library staff to use computer skills for the benefit of library users.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the courses should visit their local library.