A GROUNDBREAKING project is to offer every secondary and primary school in East Lancashire access to the Internet.

The project is joint-funded by central and local government and is part of Prime Minister Tony Blair's plan to connect every school.

High-tech company Your Communications has won the contract -- worth £1.2 million in the first year -- to supply and maintain the broadband network.

One of the organisers of the project, Barry Forde, who is technical architect at Lancaster University, said: "This new project will provide on-line resources for students, including materials provided by the local education authority, museums, libraries and community groups. It will also support video-conferencing between schools."

Computer courses

A HIGH school is offering free courses for people who are still looking to join the high-tech revolution.

St Wilfrid's CE High School and Technology College will stage Computers for the Complete Beginner for 15 weeks on Fridays from 4pm to 6pm.

Another course delivers the number one IT qualification CLAIT Stage 1 and runs for 30 weeks on Mondays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Internet Technologies Level 1 also runs for 30 weeks, on Tuesdays between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

All courses start in the week beginning October 1. Call Elaine Taylor on 01254 604000 or call in at reception.

Midwife pride

FORMER Blackburn staff nurse Adrienne Powderley has clinched a first-class honours degree in Midwifery Studies at the University of Central Lancashire.

Adrienne worked in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Theatre at Queen's Park Hospital before she started her studies in Preston. She is now a staff midwife at Queen's Park.