A WEBSITE set up to bring information to residents of a Teesdale village has been launched.

Derek Foster MP attended the launch of the Gainford Online website in Gainford Village Hall last night.

The website offers online information that may be useful to village residents, such as public transport timetables and local business details.

Business will also be able to advertise on the site.

The website is the brainchild of Gainford businessman Ian Clethero, managing director of the Barnard Castle software company Secure Communication Technologies.

The scheme was given a £1,900 community champions grant, after a bid was submitted by Bill Goyder, of Gainford Village Hall Association, and Fergus Arkley, of Teesdale Village Halls Consortium.

Mr Clethero said: "At the moment, there is information in the parish news, but that only comes out once a month and there are print deadlines.

"There are a lot of groups in the village that need to communicate with each other and the web is a very easy way of doing it.

"Anybody will be able to log in and put information on the site.

"The site also has a facility for text alerts if there's an emergency such as bad weather or something."

Mr Clethero also hopes to provide training courses for village residents.

People can visit the site at www.gainfordonline.net.