A VOLUNTARY organisation is hoping to transform technophobe pensioner into silver surfers.

eVOLution, in Darlington, is offering Online Basics sessions to help encourage the town's older generations onto the internet.

Those who attend the free course will start with a two-hour session outlining the fundamentals of essential web browsing.

It will allow them to use drop-in sessions and IT points in the town centre to understand how the internet works.

Karen Grundy, executive director of eVOLution said: "With many organisations such as the Job centre switching to entirely online as of next year it's vital that older people start to become familiar with the internet.

"We offer the foundation with which to build a good knowledge of IT and the web so that people are able to manage important aspects of their day to day life."

Further courses will be available for the rest of the public from June.

Mike Durkin, business development manager of eVOLution added: "All skill levels are welcome; it's come one come all, as a UK Online Centre we're trying to maximise social inclusion in the UK, starting in Darlington."

The first courses offered in conjunction with Age UK Darlington are running from the May 16 to 20 at eVOLution, in Church Row and at Age UK, Bradbury House, Beaumont Street.

For more details contact 01325-266888 or visit www.evolutionconnect.com.