SICK children in Blackpool will be able to keep up with their school work thanks to a donation of new computers.

Youngsters in hospital can use the PCs to keep up to date with the curriculum, access the Blackpool schools' intranet, link up with their home schools and e-mail friends.

And it's all thanks to Tiny Computers and the children's charity Express Link-up, which donated the computers to Blackpool education department's Hospital and Home Education Service (HHES) last Friday.

The presentation took place at the HHES centre, Highfurlong School, Blackpool, as part of a long-term project by Tiny and Express Link-up to increase the level of IT equipment and skills in hospital schools.

Judith Colby, HHES co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted with the donation. Not only do the computers bring educational benefits and give us access to the national curriculum through the web, but they also help in the children's psychological development too." Express Link-up's chief executive officer Pat Ryan said: "The computers are having an enormous impact on the hospital's pupils.

"It's essential that children in hospital are able to communicate through e-mail to friends and other children in the same situation, as well as continuing their education."

John Kneen, manager of Tiny's Preston showroom, said every computer came with top educational software and a modem.

He added: "Tiny firmly believes in computer access for everyone, including children who have to spend long periods of time in hospital. We have ensured that top education software is included with every PC as well as a modem, linking the children to the outside world."