SPECIAL branch anti-terrorist officers will be visiting communal internet access centres around the county.

The aim is to warn centre managers that possible extremists could access the worldwide web using community computers.

The Firthmoor Community Centre, in Darlington, has been visited by officers.

Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin, from Durham Police anti-terrorist branch, said all centres with communal internet access would be visited by officers.

"My officers have been visiting community cafes, internet cafes, and other places, as part of a community engagement strategy," he said.

"It is to ensure members of the public who use these facilities are alerted to the fact the computers can be used by extremists.

"We mean extremists in the broadest sense - whether that be terrorists, animal rights campaigners, anything like that.

"There was nothing particular at Firthmoor - it is about engagement in Darlington and County Durham to make sure people are aware.

"It's about making sure people who run the centres know who is using the computers, and what they are looking at. And, if they think they are being used for extremism, they know who to call."

Det Supt Malkin said the programme would run indefinitely around the county.