The first trials of a multi-million pound European e-government project have begun in Sussex.

The EU-funded Centuri21 project aims to provide public access to government services and departments using internet technology developed by major IT companies.

West Sussex County Council was the lead partner in the initial bid for £5 million European funding for the project last year. The council has now begun a trial of the new delivery solution with a group of Hassocks residents.

Robert Kirk, head of e-government for the council, said: "Ultimately, the kind of e-government we want to offer will give access to all our services from a range of platforms, including digital TV and WAP as well as the internet.

"All e-government solutions have to be driven by the people who will be using them. The main aim of the Hassocks test is to share the research with the users."

The Sussex Rural Community Council (SRCC) has been contracted by West Sussex County Council to identify about 50 residents, representing different sections of the parish of Hassocks, to take part in the trial of the new system.

The SRCC also plans to undertake research among the wider Hassocks community about how people use existing technology to access information.

Teresa Gittins, head of rural enterprise, said: "We have been working on setting up a steering group for participants this month. There will also be the opportunity for everyone to be involved through a questionnaire and at public meetings which we will advertise through the usual channels."

Services for carers have been chosen as one key area of council operations to be delivered using the electronic system.

Mr Kirk, said: "The Carers Support Direct service provides vital support to the people it works with. Many carers have limited opportunities to visit council offices and this method of using our services from the comfort of their homes is something we are keen to see in action."

The research stage of the Hassocks trial has been scheduled to conclude in 2002, with practical results expected in line with the Government's commitment to achieving open electronic access by 2005.

Mr Kirk said: "We want to make sure people have time to find out what the technology is capable of so they can articulate how it can be used to its full potential. This is not about introducing a full-blown system overnight but about laying the foundations to get it right."

The delivery platform has been developed by ten European IT companies including Oracle UK, BT and Marconi.

Lucy Brown, public services business development and marketing director of Oracle UK, said: "Centuri21 will break new technical ground in the way it provides genuinely easy-to-use internet facilities to citizens throughout Europe, whether they are first-time or every-day users.

"Oracle is also providing the more than 1,000 person-days of development specialist's time for the project and looks forward to continuing in its important software development role with Centuri21 in the future."

Peter Phillips, of Marconi's broadband routing and switching business, said: "The programme has the potential to change the way local authorities operate and their relationship with citizens. The key to achieving this is our ability to integrate new network technologies and develop an environment which will deliver live services."

West Sussex and Devonshire county councils have collaborated to form the UK local government partner, with authorities in Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Hungary also taking part.

www.centuri21.org