AGE Concern Okehampton received a double boost — it won an award from telephone and provider BT after being presented with a grant by Okehampton United Charities.

BT Community Connections has awarded the Okehampton's centre, along with one in Torridge, a year's free internet connection.

The award scheme which is part of BT's 'Get IT Together' campaign, offers charitable and community organisations who help, or want to help their local community get online, the chance to apply for 12 months' free BT Broadband.

The judges were impressed by Age Concern Okehampton and Torridge's ideas of how they intend to assist more people in their area to use the internet.

The Okehampton charity has a cyber café at its centre and shop, at 2 Crediton Road, which has helped many older people overcome their fear of computers and has helped them make new friends and keep in contact with their families around the world.

Barrie Duke, chief officer, said: 'This is a tremendous boost of confidence for the work that we have done and we can now expand the opportunities for free computer training, and online helpdesk support.

'We are hoping to help those who have never used a computer before.'

The charity was also boosted by a recent grant from Okehampton United Charities.

Karen Percival, clerk of the OUC, presented the centre with a cheque for £5,350 last Friday.

The money will be used to offer its cyber café facilities to older people in the town and Okehampton?hamlets, and teach them IT skills through its 'New Clicks' project.

Barrie said: 'The money from Okehampton United Charities will really help the New Clicks project. The facilities here are very good now. Most people don't realise the computers are here, as it's not visible through the window.

'We just want to encourage people to get the most that they can from computers, at their own pace.'