Darlington council has to be able to allow the public access to all of its services through the internet within five years.

The cabinet was given an insight into the future when a model of electronic government was unveiled on Tuesday.

A web site was set up in 1997, but Mr Paul Wildsmith, director of central services, said it needed to be upgraded to become fully interactive and an expert would be brought in to help redesign it.

The Darlington partnership had made two successful bids for cash from the new opportunities fund for community access centres.

As a result, the internet would become available at Morrison's supermarket in North Road, Skerne Park school, Willow Road community centre, Haughton school, Gladstone Street and The D&S Times head office in Priestgate.

A third bid was in its early stages and Red Hall, Branksome and Middleton St George were possible locations for other centres.

A dozen stand-alone computer kiosks are in the pipeline for various points in the town to provide information about learning opportunities and council services. The first should start to appear next year.

Mr Wildsmith said a best value review on access to services would be looking at options, including adopting a call centre approach. That would shape future strategy.

In future there will be electronic access to the register of electors and customers can expect to view their own account details. Tenants will be able find out their job repair status on-line and staff check on their own personal payroll data.

A library catalogue to allow readers to browse, place reservations and make renewals is on the cards, and a tourism site may have a virtual walk around the town's attractions.

Coun John Williams, cabinet leader, commented on the rapid changes in technology in recent years. Almost everyone had a mobile telephone and the same would soon apply to access to the internet.

"I am not going to speculate on what another five years will bring," he said. "But one thing is certain, things will be very different from what they are today and we will have to keep our systems under continual review.