TIME is running out for community venues to take an advantage of an offer of free computer training for their users.

Village halls, community centres and libraries can sign up to the scheme run by The Northern Echo's Communigate programme.

Communigate will hold sessions at community venues, including UK Online facilities, with at least three public access Internet-connected computers.

The Travelling Workshops package includes:

* A free Communigate tutor on a regular basis for a fixed one to two-hour slot.

* A free Adult Learning resource in the venue.

* The opportunity to offer participants a TROCN Level One certificate in Web Page Design (subject to assessment criteria).

* An opportunity for venues across the North-East to promote their community ICT services more widely and effectively via The Northern Echo, the Darlington and Stockton Times and the Advertiser series.

Communigate editor Andrew Hutton said: "We have had lots of interest already, but there are still some places available if people hurry."

The first series of workshops will start next month, but interested venues need to apply before Friday. To do so, visit www.communigateworkshops.co.uk.