A HI-TECH business centre - the first of its kind in Britain - will fast-forward St Helens companies into the new millennium.

The state-of-the-art base offers businesses the latest video conferencing equipment, training on new technology and help in designing their own internet web sites.

The services on offer at the £1.4m centre aim to ensure local companies take advantage of many new opportunities being created by computing and telecommunications technology.

The centre will be officially launched at the end of this month and is a joint venture between St Helens College and St Helens Chamber of Commerce.

Based within the college, it will boast the latest information and communication technology (ICT) including a sophisticated multi-media presentation suite with video conferencing equipment for remote meetings.

The college's ICT director, Jan Bibby, said: "We aim to give not only advice and training, but also practical help to solve problems, which could seriously affect their future success."

The centre will link with other sites throughout Merseyside, offering similar services and allowing users to remotely access facilities.

The centre, which is receiving funding from the government and the EU, also hopes to provide training on the development of computer software and hardware and the benefits of E-commerce.

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