OLDER New Forest residents are being urged to cast off their fears of technology and get stuck into taster sessions on how to use the information super highway.

Council chiefs have launched the Silver Surfer Week to make the Internet more accessible to people unfamiliar with computers.

E-mail, shopping online and researching family history online are among the benefits of developing Web-surfing skills, Hampshire County Council has said.

The tasters will be on offer at Hythe Library on Wednesday, May 19 and Ringwood Library on Friday, May 21.

Councillor Rod Baulk, who has been deeply involved in promoting the Internet for the county council, said: "One of our key priorities is to improve quality of life for older people.

"Whether it's to keep in touch with relatives who don't live nearby, to find out about more about local services, or simply as a form of entertainment the Internet and e-mail have a lot to offer older people."

For more information visit www.hants.gov.uk/silversurfers