BRIERFIELD residents will be able to surf worldwide and discover new interests with the opening of the town's cyber-cafe.

The facility, based at the corner of Colne Road and Halifax Road, was set up by community group Brierfield Action in the Community and will be officially opened on Saturday at 11am.

The project has been planned for more than 16 months and has been funded by Brierfield Town Council, Pendle Partnerships and Pendle Council.

Set up in Partnership with Pendle Community Link and the Learning and Skills Council, the cafe will enable people to learn about computers by using the free facilities.

The Brierfield cafe is just one of 19 Pendle Community Link IT centres that are being developed over the next three years by Northern Technologies and Pendle Community Network with funding from Pendle Partnership.

Organisers aim to create a relaxed atmosphere for people to surf the net, search for information, use e-mail, gain IT skills and play games.

It is hoped the cafe will also provide a social centre and community focal point. The project aims to create a cafe which will be used by people of all ages, including people in employment, Asian women and young people who might be tempted to drift into anti-social behaviour.

The cafe, which will boast up to five internet connections, could be open seven days a week, at set times.

It will have staff support for people using the IT facilities, basic refreshments and an area for young children to play safely.

Brierfield Action in the Community will appoint board of trustees for the cafe which will be drawn from a diverse cross section of the community.

Coun Pauline Allen said: "This is an example of what a community can achieve with a lot of determination and hard work from local people getting together to deliver something different and exciting for Brierfield."