TOWNSFOLK will be able to make some smart connections for themselves by accessing the Internet and boosting their skills thanks to the launch of two big new initiatives.

The People's Network, which connects all borough libraries to the Internet as part of the Government's commitment to provide everyone with the chance to get online, and the Community Access to Lifelong Learning (CALL) project was due to go live last week at Chester Lane Community Centre.

CALL will offer basic computer training courses to local people to encourage them to pursue lifelong learning.

The Mayor of St Helens Councillor Tony Brown, Councillor Andy Bowden (Executive Member for Lifelong Learning) and Councillor Jeff Molyneux (Executive Member for Social Inclusion) launched both initiatives.

St Helens Council received National Lottery grants of more than £400,000 to install the equipment in 13 libraries and five community centres, providing access to high speed Internet connections.

Councillor Bowden said: "These excellent initiatives will make available new worlds of learning, information and opportunity to local people and communities and will give them the chance to develop their knowledge and to learn new skills".

Councillor Molyneux added: "The People's Network and the CALL project provide a new infrastructure of information and community technology learning centres which will reach as many communities as possible across St Helens extending opportunities to everyone".

The new facilities will provide learners with access to the National Community Grid for Learning and will encourage the creation of community-based web sites.

The learning centres will form part of a national network of 6,000 UK Online Centres.

For more information contact Jill Roughley or Pam Meredith on 01744 455494.Pam Meredith on 01744 455494