PARENTS in East Lancashire can now use the Internet to find the best education material available -- thanks to the Government.

It has funded a project, the National Grid for Learning Portal (NGFL), to provide the parents of East Lancs with links to quality education resources.

One thousand websites have been set up at www.ngfl.gov.uk, where there are sites for everyone involved in education.

Sites joining the portal go through rigorous checks to ensure they are of a high standard, and the scheme is supported by celebrities such as Sir David Attenborough.

The 1000th registered website, ARKive (www.arkive.org), joins sites that range from the Department for Education and Skills, museums and places of educational interest.

An area of the site, developed specifically with parents in mind, provides the details of every school in England and their website contacts. This is obviously an invaluable tool for parents as it allows them to extensively research the facilities at any school of their choice.

The area of the site dedicated to East Lancashire is easily accessible and includes links to sites such as The Bolton Virtual Teaching and Learning Centre and the Preston Harris Museum and Art Gallery.

Anyone in East Lancs can get involved in the scheme, from companies to parents.

If you own a website, which is of educational content, then contact Antony Hopker on 024 7684 7139 or email- antony.hopker@.org.uk.

As Owen Lynch, Chief Executive of Becta, the government agency which runs the NGFL, enthuses: "People have the chance to put, not only themselves, but their town and area on this very important education resource."