A PENSIONER who had never used a computer before has won top marks in desktop publishing.

Jean Oliver, 74, of Stockton, was initially put off sitting in front of a keyboard when she saw the computers at Stockton Riverside College's mobile learning bus.

But Salvation Army co-ordinator and friend Karen Clarke persuaded her to have a go and she now uses her skills for the benefit of her community.

Mrs Oliver has received qualifications in word processing, desk top publishing and several other computer courses.

"It has helped to give me the confidence to become involved in the community and really given me a purpose in life," she said.

Since beginning her first computer course, Mrs Oliver has taken on two roles in the community, as chairwoman of the Town Centre Residents Community Forum and vice-chairwoman of the Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, a Government initiative targeted at the most deprived wards in the UK.

As well as helping to negotiate for environmental improvements and additional community policing, she uses her computer skills to compile a neighbourhood newsletter.

The pensioner, who recently received an award from Stockton Riverside College for her work, now hopes to complete another course about producing community newsletters.

The Stockton Riverside College Learning Bus has been adapted as a mobile classroom with funding from the EU's European Social Fund and the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

Instructors deliver free IT and related training to eight areas in the borough.

These are central Stockton, Ragworth, Hardwick, Roseworth, Parkfield, Portrack, Tilery, and Norton Grange.