A mother who has finally got to grips with computers has given a big thumbs up to a new course aimed at teaching people to use the internet.

E-citizen, which has been developed by the British Computer Society in Swindon, is a 30 hour course, which will be offered to the people of Swindon before those anywhere else in the country.

It is suitable for people of all ages and is being taught at Swindon College's seven learning centres.

And Sally Roshier, 39, of Wootton Bassett, knows all about how much learning how to use a computer can change your life.

She plans to train as a nurse and studied for the European Computer Driving Licence at the Wootton Bassett learning centre.

"Learning how to use a computer and surf the internet is a total necessity in the 21st century," she said.

"I found it very frustrating not having the knowledge I needed.

"It made me feel I was behind the times.

"It was also important that I learned about computers for when I do my nursing degree.

"All the assignments have to be done with a word processor and I may also have to do research on the internet."

Sally who has two sons, Christopher, 10, and Michael, six, and is married to Mark, 39, a computer programmer, admits she was daunted about doing the course.

"It was a friend that persuaded me to go along and I'm so glad I did it," she said.

"I could work at my own pace and drop in to study whenever I wanted to.

"I think that the E-citizen course is a great idea. Once you know how to surf the internet you have a whole new world at your fingertips."

The E-Citizen qualification consists of a 30-hour course with a final on-line test leading to certification.

It consists of five modules: Basic IT skills and how to use a computer; using email and understanding the concept of email, including personal safety on-line; how to navigate the web and understand the content that is available; access to on-line services and knowledge of on-line content.

It will be taught at the Swindon College learning centres in Marl-borough, Nythe, Wootton Bassett, North Swindon, Parks, the Link Centre and Regents Circus.

It costs £25 to take the course and to enrol contact Swindon College on 0800 731 2250.