LIBRARY users may seem to have little to connect them with computer billionaire Bill Gates.

But thanks to the Microsoft chief -- the richest man in the world -- people dropping into Blackburn Library will soon be able to use the latest in computer technology. A foundation set up by Bill Gates and his family to support educational projects has awarded £28,000 to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The money will be used to pay for 12 new computers in the Town Hall Street library and should be installed by Christmas.

Coun Salim Mulla made the announcement to a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen's executive committee. He said: "I am delighted to announce that we have been successful in securing funding from the Bill Gates Foundation to pay for 12 new computers in the library.

"The money will be spent installing 12 new computers, which will be available for the public to use. This means we will be able to provide better facilities for people in the borough." The computers will have internet access.

Each year, the foundation makes millions of pounds available to charities and organisations which can use computers to benefit the public.

Blackburn with Darwen's Library Service is now recognised to be one of the most innovative in the country.

A survey earlier this year revealed several of its new initatives, including opening on a Sunday, had made an example of how other libraries can adapt and improve for the 21st century.

Microsoft, Bill Gates' computer company, is the most powerful in the world, providing systems like Windows 98, which run the vast majority of computers in the world. He is currently locked in a US court battle over claims he has an unfair monopoly on the computer market.