'SILVER Surfers' from the Calne area converged on the town library on Friday for an Internet taster session aimed at people aged over 50.

The six members of the group were aged between 55 and 80 and one man in his late 70s had never touched a computer mouse before.

The group learnt how to look for information on the Internet, access web sites and move between web pages, during the 90 minute session.

The event was staged as part of National Adult Learning Week.

Head librarian Sue Boddington said: "We do this every year, as part of National Adult Learning Week.

"We try and encourage people over 50 and 60 to come and sample the Internet.

"They seemed to find it very useful.

"I had some crib notes for the session and they all wanted photocopies to take home with them and practise.

"So many people nowadays have grandchildren who live abroad and e-mail is such an easy way to contact them."

The group started by looking at Wiltshire County Council's home page and learning their way around the site, accessing information on local events and history.

Mrs Boddington said one man used the session to access records on British war memorials and managed to track down a relative.

Many of the learners were from North Wiltshire's University of the Third Age, which offers courses in a wide variety of subjects for people aged above 55.

More information about the U3A is available on www. thirdagers.net