ADULTS in Looe, particularly senior citizens, will soon be able to access the Internet and IT technology through an online centre to be set up in Looe.

Looe is among 46 centres which will be supported by four mobile units carrying computers into outlying areas of Cornwall and Devon, and into the homes of the elderly and those with disabilities.

The Looe town forum, setting up a UK online centre, has been awarded £59,150 from the New Opportunities Fund. This will enable mobile facilities in information and communications technology to visit rural areas.

Although the facility will be open to all, the main target audience will be those residents over 60 who are currently not working.

Secretary of the Forum, David Gardner, said research had shown this group are most at risk from exclusion from IT training, and from future developments such as on-line banking and shopping on the web. Other targeted groups will be those in work who wish to enhance their skills, and small hotels and B and B establishments, especially those currently run by the older generation, and semi-retired people in the area.

The Caradon Adult Education centre based in Liskeard has also been incorporated in the project, which means rurally isolated villages and communities around the town will benefit.