ELDERLY villagers are receiving computer lessons so they can use the internet to combat rural isolation.

Almost 40 residents – including 104-year-old Nora Hardwick – attended the opening of a cyber café in Ancaster, Lincolnshire.

Lessons are run by staff and students from St Hugh’s Mathematics and Computing College, in nearby Grantham.

They aim to help people stay in touch with their families using digital technology.

Some 37 residents attended the first lesson, hosted by Ancaster Parish Council.

Lecturer Darren Beasor said the training would show everyone how to access the internet.

A local company donated two laptops and a printer. They are permanently available in the parish hall for residents to use at their convenience.

The venture is a first for Lincolnshire.

Some 1m people over 65 feel trapped in their homes, according to a recent government report.

More than 180,000 elderly people had gone for an entire week without speaking to friends, neighbours or family, it said.

The document, Building a Society for all Ages, can be downloaded here (636 pdf).

The Ancaster scheme will run for as long as it takes for each resident to learn how to get online, said parish clerk Nigel Vernon.

It could also bring other benefits.

A recent study showed that people save £560 per year by shopping and paying bills online, said Mr Vernon.

“The whole concept is to enable independent living for older people by making technology work for them.

“There should not be any reason why digital literacy is not as important as basic literacy and numeracy.”