THE Prime Minister yesterday launched a video conferencing system that links people in remote communities with service providers in County Durham.

Tony Blair was so impressed with the Video Conferencing Access to Services scheme he imagined communities across the country would follow its example.

Launching the £200,000 pilot at Cornforth House, in West Cornforth, near Ferryhill, one of five centres connected to the service, Mr Blair said he wanted to learn more about the scheme.

The year-long pilot is run by DurhamNet, a broadband computer network provider operated by Durham County Council and Derwentside District Council.

It enables residents in West Cornforth, Willington, Craghead, Evenwood and Stanley to use video links to discuss issues from planning to housing benefits with council staff.

Council officers appear on a television screen where they can talk directly and in confidence to a member of the public.

Karen Lynn, from Cornforth House, said being able to speak directly to service providers is less intimidating and more convenient than travelling to council offices.

Mr Blair also heard that 36 secondary schools are using the system to link up with outside organisations - from specialist language colleges to Russian cosmonauts.

The Prime Minister also opened the National Science Learning Centre in York.

The centre is designed to inspire science teachers and technicians working with the science curriculum. It will offer residential courses to UK teachers.