A 70-year-old great-grandmother has proved that technology is not just for the young by reaching the national finals of a contest celebrating the achievements of people over 50.

Elizabeth Gatiss, an IT student at Bishop Auckland College's computer learning centre in the Durham Dales Centre, at Stanhope, County Durham, first used the Internet and email less than a year ago to research information for a family tree.

She rapidly progressed to helping others in the village. Armed with a City and Guilds level 1 IT qualification, she formed an Internet support group to encourage more elderly people to use it.

Her enthusiasm and aptitude earned her a place in the finals of the City and Guilds Silver Surfer of the Year awards.

Murray Butcher, City and Guilds director of excellence and people, visited the college to present her with a certificate.

He said: "Elizabeth is a role model for others and has discovered a real knack for technology.

"In fact, she was so elated when she passed her exams, having enjoyed her classes so much, that within half an hour of getting her results she signed up for a level 2 course."

Mrs Gatiss said: "I regard the Internet as a lifeline of interest, especially when I become too frail to get out and mix with others.

"Now the world is at my fingertips - my family, friends and more information than anyone can take in."