A YARM scientist is conquering his suspicion of computers - at the age of 76.

After working on an energy efficiency scheme in Northern Siberia, Mr Ron Sarkar decided learning how to use a computer would help him with future projects.

Since retiring from the chemical engineering industry more than ten years ago, he has worked as a consultant for the European Union on the energy programme in the frozen extremes of the former Soviet Union.

He was project manager on the two-year Tacis international programme which studied methods of energy efficiency and polished up existing systems to make them more efficient.

Mr Sarkar came to realise that, as a scientist and engineer, he could no longer afford to ignore the new technology.

So he signed up for a computer course with a Middlesbrough-based training centre. "The step by step training has allowed me to learn at my own pace," he said.

"With encouragement and support, I have picked it up reasonably well. Once I finish the course, I will not have to rely on other people's computer skills and this will make my project work much easier."

The course is run by Pitman Training and is available to everyone from administrative staff to office managers.

Mr Max Liversidge, managing director of QM Training which runs Pitman Training in Teesside, said: "We are delighted to see the progress Ron has made. When he joined us, his suspicion of computers was obvious as he developed his scientific skills in an era before the computer revolution.

"But the course has helped him increase his confidence and support his valuable work."