A £250,000 Internet caf-style centre for under-privileged Chester-le-Street residents was opened yesterday.

The Hermitage school's ICT (information communications technology) On-Line Centre is designed to give "harder to reach" members of the public access to the latest technology.

Officially opened by North Durham MP Kevan Jones, the centre has 11 computers with the latest software, a 52in high-tech screen with Sky Digital and games consoles.

The centre will have a separate entrance to the rest of the specialist technology college - a feature designed to encourage people with bad experiences at school to use the facilities.

Headteacher Eddie Brady said the school was given a £220,000 Government grant as part of a national drive to take technology to people who do not usually have access to computers.

The school found the remaining £30,000 itself.

He said: "The Government has been creating ICT On-Line centres to try to take technology to some of the harder to reach communities - people who are not switched on to learning.

"If we are serious about getting people to use it, we had to make the centre as comfortable as possible for those who perhaps would not be too keen on going back to school.

"We have also got games consoles, including a racing game with a steering wheel and peddles, and the keyboards are designed to move around the room with.

"Also, we'll shortly have around 30 laptops for more disadvantaged pupils in the school. We will be lending them out for a year to pupils who are keen to learn, but have not got the money for technology at home."

The Hermitage won the award after it featured in a government prospectus sent to other colleges promoting community schooling.

Mr Jones said the facility would be a real boon for the local community. He added: "Anything that give further access to new technology for kids in Chester-le-Street has to be welcomed."