DIRECT links with the world's information superhighway may soon be available to the public at East Lancashire libraries.

Terminals allowing members of the public to access the Internet may be installed on a trial basis at seven East Lancashire libraries.

Fees of £5 per hour or £3 for half-an-hour would allow users to surf the world wide web.

Lancashire County Council library, museums and arts committee will decide tomorrow whether the project should go ahead.

Eighteen libraries have been earmarked for trials, including Blackburn Central Library, Darwen, Accrington, Rawtenstall, Burnley Central Library, Nelson and Clitheroe.

The county council would join with an Internet provider which would provide the technical expertise, together with free staff training and software in return for a 50 per cent share of any profits.

Councillors will be told the scheme would cost £1,200 per site to set up, with the first sites becoming operational during April or May and the remainder phased in during the year.

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