A nationwide initiative to bridge the digital divide has been launched after a successful trial in Hove.

The Hangleton Knoll Project was one of 22 pilot venues for the Government's UK online centres, set up to offer free and cheap access to new technologies in communities.

Last week, more than 1,200 UK online centres were opened in pubs, church halls and specially-designed suites with the aim of reaching people with little or no knowledge of information technology.

Nuala Friedman, co-ordinator for the Hangleton Knoll centre (HaKIT), said: "It's brilliant we have been the pioneers for such a positive national scheme. The community Hangleton Knoll Project has been working in the area for several years and we began the information technology office last summer.

"As well as a place for people to come to use the computers and browse the internet, we run courses to help get beginners started.

"We have been working hard to give the local community access to the technology and we now have many regular visitors."

Joyce Rose, 67, of Hangleton, said: "I did a course for absolute beginners and I now have a good grounding in the basics. I saw the course advertised in the community news-letter and my daughter encouraged me to sign up and get into the 21st Century.

"She had bought me a computer and told me I could use it to converse with my grandchildren. I had no idea what she was talking about but now I am getting along fine and have signed up for a course in word processing at the end of the month.

"I used to watch people using a computer and think: 'How could I ever do that?'

"Like so many people I hadn't had the chance to find out about what technology can do and the UK online centres are a great way of addressing this."

A central Brighton UK online centre has also been given the go-ahead and will open in August. The charity Community Service Volunteers will set it up in the new BBC Southern Counties building on Queen's Road.

Kieron Tilley, regional manager for CSV London and South East, said: "We have joined forces with BBC Southern Counties to promote the use of IT in the community. As a national charity dedicated to getting communities activated, we are looking forward to providing an exciting and creative setting for people in the Brighton area."

Michael Wills, minister for learning and technology, said: "We live in a fast-moving age where new technologies are opening up a world of opportunities. There's a revolution in the way we think, work, learn and play. We must make sure that everyone has the chance to benefit from these new opportunities.

Thanks to pioneer centres, like the HaKIT centre, UK online can now bring access to information and communications technology and learning into your community.

Everyone should have the opportunity to use computers, in an environment which suits them and takes into account any special needs - be they cultural, physical or linguistic.

"Whether you want to send an email picture of your new-born baby to relatives abroad, find out the latest football stats on your team's web site, investigate opportunities for further learning or do research for courses you are already on, these new centres will mean that everyone can get a taste for the net."

Centres are planned at venues across Sussex and information is available from the UK online hotline on 08080 100 400 or the web site.

www.ukonline.gov.uk