ITV DIGITAL PUTS A COMMUNITY ONLINE

ITV Digital are helping a former South Yorkshire pit village lead the way in getting Britain online.
Alongside the Government's 'Wired Up Communities' scheme, the 'Pit2Net' project will provide digital TV, internet and e-mail access to more than 1,200 homes in Brampton Bierlow.
In line with the Government's 'Wired Up Communities' scheme, the 'Pit2Net' project will provide internet and e-mail access approximately 1,200 homes in Brampton Bierlow, a South Yorkshire community with social, economic and cultural disadvantages.
The project launched with a dedicated website providing access to local information and public services. The aim is to turn the whole community into a digital village with internet access via the television and digital TV.
The Government have made £10m available nationally to test the benefits of offering people connections to the internet in their homes and communities. Households in Brampton will receive an ITV Digital box and an ITV Active internet box. Users will be able to surf the internet, send and receive e-mails, interact as an online community and access the local Job Centre.
Access to information about the Pit2Net scheme and to the local community website are available on www.itvactive.co.uk/onnet/brampton.
Tony Moretta, ITV Digital's Director of Interactivity, said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for the people of Brampton to get online. The digital revolution is going to impact on everyone and should be encouraged."
South Yorkshire have recently been recognised by the UK Government and European Union as a region lagging behind in development of industrial and IT capability. Brampton itself suffers from unemployment at more than twice the national rate. Participants in the scheme will be able to receive training in basic internet skills and keyboard usage, improving job prospects and employability.
ITV Digital are working on the 'Pit2Net' project with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and The Employment Service for the Barnsley/Rotherham District. (CD)