AN ambitious £1.3million investment programme by Devon County Council means that more than 300 computers are now available for free use by members of the public in libraries across the county.

The investment scheme has been backed by the Lottery-backed New Opportunities Fund People?s Network, which has also provided the library service with cash to train staff in computing skills.

It means visitors to West Devon can use state of the art computers to surf the internet, send e-mails or take advantage of a wide variety of software for up to half an hour per day. Staying on line longer costs just £1.50 per half hour.

There is no need to be a member of a library to use the computers, but extra services are available to those who are.

Members can access online reference sources like the newspaper database, Infotrac, the Oxford Reference Library, British Standards Online and UK Official Publications.

There is also a wide range of books, CDs, videos and DVDs.

Saxon Spence, the county council?s executive chairman for lifelong learning, said: ?These are very exciting developments for Devon.

?Our society is becoming more and more computer-based. But a significant proportion of homes in the county still do not have access to a computer.

?Now people can have free use of a computer at their local library to surf the internet, send and receive e-mails and study using online courses.?