MORE than 1,000 homes in a rundown area of Blackburn have applied to go on-line as part of a project to get the area switched on to the internet.

Around £2million of government cash is being spent in the Whitebirk area to turn it into a 'wired-up community.'

Some 2,500 homes are eligible for a free internet-ready computer and training as part of the project, which will be monitored by the government to see howit improves residents' lives.

Several hundred houses and primary schools have been connected to the scheme, with more going on-line every day.

Yesterday, council bosses welcomed Cheung-Moon Cho from the National Computerisation Agency in Korea.

His department is looking a similar scheme in the Far East country. Councillor Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, said: "We are very excited to have been included in the visit from Korea. Although the project is still in its early stages, it has been a great success so far with more than 1,000 people signing up.

"The project aims to make a real difference to the lives of people in the area and throughout the wider community.

"By helping people to get jobs, make better use of services, and building stronger community networks the project will help liberate the potential of the community to the benefit of everyone. I think our visitors will be able to learn a lot from the success of this project, and we are glad to share our experiences with them."

The project is supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council -- who have contributed £100,000 to the scheme through their Single Regeneration Bid scheme -- along with the European Regional Development Fund, Northwest Development Agency, Blackburn College and Learn Direct. Six areas in the country are running pilot schemes, with the Blackburn project being run by the Blackburn East Area Community Help (BEACH) Partnership.

It is the largest ever government-funded scheme to find out what effects technology can have in improving life in poor areas.

Whitebirk's two wards, Greenbank and Shadsworth, are in the ten per cent of most deprived in England and Wales.

Call 08080 100700 to find out if you live in the project area.