CONSERVATIVE leader William Hague gave his vote to an online offer, during a recent visit to The Northern Echo.

The paper builds websites for non-profit making organisations across the North-East and North Yorkshire and pupils from Brompton-on-Swale Primary School, in Mr Hague's Richmond constituency, were on hand to demonstrate their own 12-page domain.

"The children are extending their computer skills by learning to update their own class pages," said headteacher Kate Walker.

"We would like to make a contact with a school in Richmond, Australia, and maybe other Richmonds throughout the world, enabling our children to contact those in different cultures by e-mail."

The school is among more than 400 other community groups to benefit from the CommuniGate scheme, since its launch in September.

"It is completely free, for all non-profit organisations, and is designed for people who do not have any previous web-authoring experience," said project editor, Alison Nicholson,

"No special software or skills are needed and full help is given. I can provide a free one-to-one tutorial session if necessary, to help them get started."

Anyone interested in setting up a website for their group should contact Ms Nicholson on (01325) 505270, by e-mail or visit the website at www.communigate.co.uk/ne.