RESIDENTS can brush up on their keyboard skills thanks to a donation by a local firm.

A community computer training centre has officially opened in Rowan Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, and boasts a range of computers and equipment thanks to a £2,800 donation from NIPA Laboratories.

The centre is the brainchild of Immanuel Residents' Association and New Lane Baptist Church. It is based in a Hyndburn Council-owned house. Organisers have linked up with Accrington and Rossendale College to offer educational courses to people living in Accrington and the surrounding area.

Residents' association vice-chairman Terry Duerden said: "NIPA has been marvellous. They have given us money in the past. We went out and bought the computers for the centre and this latest donation has covered their cost."

Picture: Resident Ann Wilson, 61, sits at the computer watched by (from the left) site director of NIPA Laboratories Armas Best, secretary of the Whamsbrook Community Park Charitable Trust Sylvia Pilkington and vice-chairman of the residents' association at Association House, Oswaldtwistle, Terry Duerden