FERRYHILL will soon have an information technology drop-in centre, thanks to a £75,000 grant.

The money from the New Opportunities Fund will be used to staff the community room at Ferryhill Comprehensive School.

Headteacher Steve Gater said: "It will be a drop-in centre for learning information and communications technology for any of the adults in the community.

"It will be a free service on offer for most of the week, with crche facilities, for anybody to come in and learn."

The project is a partnership with New College Durham and the local community, and will eventually offer learning opportunities in Ferryhill and mobile outreach venues.

It is hoped that the centre will be operating soon after Christmas. It will be open from 9am to 9pm on weekdays, and Saturday mornings.