A COMPUTER web design student from the region had an international response when she designed a page about her native Poland.

Multi-media design student Beata Walton, who is studying at Stockton and Billingham College, created a website giving information about living in Poland, as part of her now completed studies.

Within three weeks she was contacted by a woman in California searching for her Polish family, with whom she lost contact after the Second World War.

The second website user was a man from Portugal who is visiting Poland this year.

Ms Walton said: "I created a website based on my personal experiences. I moved to England ten years ago, but have travelled to most Polish cities.

"I was helped by the Polish tourist board and the site includes pictures and graphics and tourist information."

Ms Walton, who has two children, studies through a flexible learning programme.

She is due to study information technology at Middlesbrough's Teesside University and is designing websites for companies in her spare time.

Course tutor Christine Williams said: "Beata has worked very hard and her website has been an amazing success."

For details of the nine-month course call (01642) 865566.

Ms Walton's website is at www.beatawalton.freeserve.co.uk.