A DARLINGTON firm has set up a national scheme to encourage more farmers and rural businesses to step into the computer age.

Mr Peter Johnson, of Executive Office Services in Valley Street, has started the Rural Technology Partnership, offering cut-price computer systems, complete with a subsidised training package, to help people get to grips with new technology.

The countryside computer package provides an internet-ready Hewlett-Packard business system with a computer and printer, delivered, installed and connected to the internet by a trained engineer.

For farmers wanting to develop their IT skills, five two-hour training sessions are available, with a dedicated, Defra-funded trainer providing one-to-one sessions on the farm.

The total cost of the package, including equipment, installation and training, is £762 plus VAT. However, RTP is negotiating a deal with three trust funds to introduce a 50pc subsidy for all businesses which can show hardship as a direct result of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Mr Johnson said the partnership was close to confirming the grants, adding: "It's excellent value, but it's still a hell of a lot of money for many farmers who have been hit hard by foot-and-mouth. That is why we are so keen to secure the grants."

The scheme is being piloted in North Yorkshire and will be launched nationally at the end of January.

More than 50 computer systems are up and running, with six installed at Hawes auction mart this week.

Anybody who has already signed up for a package will be able to make a retrospective application for a grant, if these become available.

Mr Johnson said: "I live on a farm and it occurred to me that, when foot-and-mouth was at its peak, a lot of farmers were being completely cut off. The telephone was their only means of communication and I realised that the internet and e-mail was an obvious solution.

"Farmers are being told time and time again they have to diversify and make contact with other farmers, but it's very difficult by any other means than e-mail.

"Farmers work 12-hour days. After that, who wants to spend half the night on the telephone speaking to other farmers, whom they probably have never met, when they can do it in five minutes by e-mail?"

There were huge benefits for farmers in being on line: "They can fill in IACS forms, apply for livestock movement licences, get long-range weather forecasts, catalogue their stock, do their accounts on spreadsheets - the possibilities are endless."

A call centre in Valley Street will initially employ another four people to handle inquiries and send out information about the scheme, together with an order form. Once an order is received, RTP says delivery and installation should be within seven days, anywhere in the country.

"It's taken over six months to pull it all together," said Mr Johnson. "There have been lots of meetings, lots of miles, lots of hours and lots of brick walls, but we've got there in the end."

He had received invaluable help from Defra and Richmond MP, Mr William Hague.

"Defra deserve praise for the part they have played in getting this scheme off the ground," he said. "They get a lot of bad publicity, but they have been absolutely superb on this.

"I approached William Hague for his support and he was really enthusiastic about it. He advised me whom to talk to and who would be most likely to help and helped to cut through a lot of red tape."

For more information on the countryside computer package, telephone 0845 1300466.