A NOVEL learning scheme has been launched to help residents of a remote town take a course run by a university situated miles away.

In fact, people wanting to study local history need go no further than their library in Loftus.

Coun Vilma Collins, mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, this week launched a new computer teaching link between the library and the University of Teesside, which is running the course.

She also gave the civic click to a joint website -- http://partnership.tees.ac.uk - allowing students and other residents to see what Loftus Library and the University of Teesside can offer.

Carol Barnes, Redcar and Cleveland Council's assistant director, advice and information services, said: "We're really proud to be launching this scheme, which is the first of its kind in the country."

Local History: Sources and Methods will run on Tuesday mornings at Loftus.