THE region is to benefit from Government cash to set up Internet centres.

Prime Minister Tony Blair announced yesterday that a wave of Government-funded computer centres in shops, community halls and mobile Internet centres would help break down the digital divide between those with access to new technologies and those without.

He pledged that, within two years, everyone would have access to an on-line centre.

It was announced that nine sites would open in the North-East, one supported by The Northern Echo, and centres in North Yorkshire would open, covering four areas.

Darlington is to become a hot-bed of new technology learning, with sites being created in a community centre, a supermarket and a school.

Darlington Partnership, of which The Northern Echo is a member, bid for money to create the new technology opportunities in the town.

A total of £252m of capital funding and £77.5m from the New Opportunities Fund is being invested in community learning.

The first centres to receive funding range from East Durham and Houghall Community College, and New College, Durham, to Loftus Development Trust and Bishop Auckland College.

Disadvantaged areas in Stockton have been awarded £1m to increase facilities for information technology. The money means that Stockton On Line, which currently operates in 11 centres, can now extend to develop another six.

Money will also go to Tyneside Learning Partnership, Sunderland AFCommunity and Northumberland College.

In North Yorkshire, money will go towards centres which cover parts of Scarborough and Whitby, Harrogate and Northallerton. These include Knowledge Base UK at York Science Park, and Northallerton College.