MORE than 140 North-west community groups

are set to benefit from a £1 million national awards scheme launched by BT.

Over the next 12 months BT Community Connections will award more than 1,700 internet-ready personal computers to individuals or groups throughout the country who wish to make a positive impact in their community.

Successful projects could include community centres, co-operatives, environmental and disability groups.

Mr Richard Hamer, project director for BT Community Connections, said: "By providing 21st century technology to many urban and rural communities across the UK, BT will help these groups to educate others about their work, explore the internet and expand their projects in the future."

Mr Michael Wills, the government Minister for Learning and Technology, said: "BT Community Connections complements our drive from within Government to increase the availability and take-up of information and communications technology, particularly for people living in the poorest neighbourhoods."

There will be three application rounds during the year and judging panels will allocate an average of 48 computers per round in each of the nine English Regional Development regions and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each award will consist of a Pentium chip Personal Computer, support material and training CD-Rom, suite of suitable software and one year's BT Internet and BT Surftime (unlimited calls to the Internet every evening 6-8pm and every weekend -- 6pm Friday to 8am Monday).

Interested groups or individuals should apply by sending their contact name, address and e-mail address (if available) and a 200-word description of how their community project would benefit from the allocation of an award.

The address is BT Community Connections, 36 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JS.

Alternatively, applications may be made on-line at:

www.btcommunityconnections.com

Round the world yachtswoman Tracy Edwards launched BT Community Connections on HMS Belfast -- with the help of a troupe of semaphore flag-waving sea cadets from the London Nautical School.