A SCHOOL has proved itself up to speed with the information age by opening a new computer centre.

Pupils from Ludworth Primary, near Durham, helped launch the UK Online Centre, part of a countywide initiative, on Thursday.

The IT suite was built after Durham County Council secured more than £500,000 from the Department for Education and Skills and New Opportunities Fund to set up 14 UK Online Centres in the county's primary schools.

The centre at Ludworth is the third to be built and will allow pupils and local residents to learn about computers, surf the Net, send and receive e-mails, and be involved in digital photography and web page design.

A number of sessions were held on Thursday afternoon to introduce children to the centre.