RESIDENTS across the borough will be encouraged to get online this month as part of a national campaign to teach people computer skills.

People will be able to attend free drop-in sessions and will receive one-to-one support at events in Festival Place and Whitchurch next Wednesday.

Local agencies including Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Sentinel Housing Association, Basingstoke Jobcentre Plus and Age Concern will be in Porchester Square, in Festival Place from 9am to 7pm to inspire people to find out what the internet could do for them.

Staff from the borough council will be at the Gill Nethercott Centre, in Whitchurch, between 9am and 12noon.

Help will also be on hand from Romsey Community Services at Basingstoke Discovery Centre between 9am and 3pm, and Basingstoke Consortium’s weekly digital mentoring hub will be open at 32 Branton Close, South Ham between 9am and 4pm.

Th events are part of national Get Online Week, which runs between October 12 and October 18, and is an annual campaign which aims to engage some of the 9.5million people in the UK who don’t have basic online skills to make the most of the internet.

The borough council’s Cabinet member for partnerships, Councillor Cathy Osselton, said: “I hope as many people as possible who currently do not use the internet will visit one of the organised events to receive some friendly advice and support to help them get online.

“We live in a digital age and want to help residents develop the skills needed to benefit from using a computer. This initiative will also prevent people from getting left behind as more services move online.”

Those with access to a computer and know of someone who would benefit from these events can find out more about Get Online Week at www.getonlineweek.com.