A COUNCIL is holding an open day to show how computers can help the community develop.

Derwentside District Council won the coveted Beacon status from the Government for its work with information technology.

It will hold an open day, called ICT - A Force Behind Local Development, on Thursday, May 20, to showcase its work and the impact it has had on a run-down former mining and steel-making area.

The council set up its Community Infonet network to help residents get better informed about local issues and events and has used the Internet to attract industry and help with health and education.

Six village halls have joined the Government's Electronic Village Hall scheme, which gives residents access to the Internet.

The council is also working to support firms with information technology and reaching young people through computers.

The council's Beacon co-ordinator, Catherine Rafferty, said: "This is a day not only to celebrate our achievements but to look forward and reach out to others in the hope that we can help other communities benefit from what we have learned.

"New technology has such a vital role to play in all walks of life.

"We used to rely heavily on steel and coal mining but when those industries started to die out, Derwentside turned to new technology to help improve people's lives and give them a better chance for a brighter future."

Anyone who wants more information and booking forms for the day, at Newcastle's Centre for Life, can log on to the council's website www.derwentside.org.uk

For further details, call Ms Rafferty on (01207) 218430.