VILLAGE leaders trying to keep locals in touch with each other will now be taking to hyperspace in their mission.

For the Affetside Society has been awarded an internet-ready computer plus one year's access to the internet.

The high-tech hardware, given as part of the BT Community Connections Awards, could prove to be a vital link for villagers once the local school --which has served as a meeting room -- closes this summer.

Vice-chairman of the society, Mrs Joanne Wilcock said: "This BT award scheme has the same aims as our village group, that is to keep people 'connected'. So we are delighted to have won it.

"We explained in our application about the village's sad plight in losing its focal point -- its primary school -- and now hope that computer access will encourage the villagers and friends of Affetside to keep in touch.

"We are a scattered rural hamlet but the people here are enterprising and keen and hopefully the BT scheme will enable us to retain our community feel."

The group plans to use the computer to produce its newsletter, The Affetside Link, to create community notices and to encourage local people to learn about computer use, internet access and email.

A number of villagers have already shown interest in learning how to use the new computer and the society has approached the Lifelong Learning Service in Bury to see if it can help.

More information on the BT awards scheme is on www.btcommunityconnections.com

Joanne Wilcock said: "We are a rather mixed community - from mothers tied to the home with young children to elderly people who have never used a computer. So I was interested to read about Bury Lifelong Learning's outreach work recently in the Bury Times - and hope they will be able to offer

computer tuition to our relatively isolated community. The people of Affetside are enterprising and keen to maintain and develop their strong community identity."

To apply for a BT Community Connections award, community groups need to demonstrate how they woul use the internet-ready PC in an innovative

way and how the wider community would benefit from the award. To find out more log onto www.btcommunityconnections.com