THE generation gap has been well and truly bridged in Bolton with over-50's in the town getting to grips with the cutting edge of computer technology.

Thanks to a Farnworth centre for older people the world of cyberspace is no longer the preserve of the teens and twenties because the silver surfer is here to stay.

And the regular computer courses at the Age Concern Learning and Resource Centre are a benefit to young and old alike because mature webwatchers are being guided through the information superhighway by their young counterparts from Bolton Sixth Form College.

The Age Concern Centre has been running courses in computing for absolute beginners since it opened its doors at the venue on the corner of Cross Street and Queen Street last September.

And since then, learning and personal development co-ordinator Geoff Benians has seen interest in all things Internet-related among his clients continue to expand.

"We have 12 computers and run 14 different courses each week and they are now all over subscribed," said Mr Benians.

"Our oldest student is 86 and what we have found is that a lot of older people are inheriting computers from their children when they buy new ones. They also might have relatives abroad and want to use the Internet to send e-mails to them to keep in touch."

He added: "People tend to think that it is a case of never the twain shall meet when you talk of computers and older people.

"There can be a little bit of mistrust of the machines at first but once our learners get to grips with them many never know what they were so worried about.

"The learning environment is completely stress free and our learners are surrounded by people of their own age so they don't feel intimidated at all."

Mr Benians stresses the laid back ethos behind the sessions when at the end of each one the tutor asks "have you had fun?" to which the resounding response is "yes!".

He then asks "have you learnt anything new?" to which the resounding response is "no!".

And he finishes with "does it matter?" to which the resounding response is "no!".

But learn they do and so much so that the centre is now hoping to introduce intermediate and advanced computer courses in the near future.

And leading the older learners through the matrix are young students from Bolton Sixth Form College who volunteer to act as helpers during the sessions.

For the latest set of 12 week courses sixth formers Nafisa Patel, Suemaiya Patel and Masarrat Sharif have been at hand to help.

The students are all studying for Health and Social Care qualifications and gain valuable experience from their work with the computer classes.

Kate Hooper, acting head of Social Sciences at the Sixth Form College said: "We recognise that college students needed to gain a greater understanding of the needs of older learners.

"Both the younger and older students benefit greatly from the project, and vital, long term, intergenerational relationships have been created within the community."

The Age Concern Learning and Resource runs courses in everything from computing to conversational Spanish all aimed at the over 50's -- all with the philosophy of "enriching the lives of older people". For more information call the centre on 01204 701525 or pay it a visit on the corner of Cross Street and Queen Street, Farnworth, between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday.