STUDENTS at three Swindon schools are now all wired up after being presented with new computers.

At Greendown School, large numbers of pupils can access online resources simultaneously thanks to a new Internet system which operates at a speed around 40 times faster than an average computer system.

The initiative, which uses broadband technology, was launched yesterday by North Swindon MP Michael Wills who is also the Government's undersecretary for learning and technology.

It has been funded by the Department for Education and Employment which has set up a consortium of five local authorities including Swindon.

They will receive £260,000 to introduce the new technology to other schools in the area.

Mr Wills was also at Headlands School to unveil three new information computer technology (ICT) suites created with £70,000 of grant money from the National Grid for Learning.

And there was a second celebration at Headlands as Swindon Borough Council leader Sue Bates opened the school's new £160,000 reception area funded by New Deal for Swindon money.

Because of the new computers, every student now has access to the Internet and their own email address and the school can now offer an ICT GNVQ.

Head teacher John Wells said: "These new ICT facilities have sparked the enthusiasm of a number of pupils to such an extent that they have purchased their own copy of the CD Rom so they can continue to work on the GNVQ course at home in the evenings."

Students at Dorcan School were also celebrating after taking delivery of a state-of-the-art Toshiba laptop computer worth £1,799.

It won a competition run by BT which was open to all schools registering for a free secure email service which will give pupils at Dorcan their own email address.

Deputy head teacher Dr Scott Sissons said: "We are delighted with this win.

"The laptop will provide staff with a flexibility to work at home and in the future will allow students to participate in a loan scheme.

"Email is an excellent addition to the school's resources and our pupils will be able to email youngsters in other countries."