A campaign to encourage more people to use the internet has resulted in more people taking in online computer courses at Surrey’s libraries.

More than 350 places on sessions aimed at helping people get online in October were filled - a 40% increase on September’s figures - following the national ‘get online week’ campaign that saw Surrey’s libraries offer free online courses for one week only.

More than 150 people took advantage by attending one of the free events and following the swell in numbers, 22 libraries in Surrey will continue to offer the courses for free.

Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Denise Saliagopoulos said: “A 40% rise in a month is hugely encouraging and shows that there is real appetite among residents in Surrey to get online and share the invaluable benefits of being on the internet.

”Research from UK online has suggested that a third of new internet users have already saved £100 or more by going online. Nearly 70 per cent said that they had saved money by comparing the price of goods and services online, while over a half had taken advantage of special online offers.”

The courses are part of the national campaign fronted by UK online and the BBC aimed at encouraging the 10 million people in the UK who have never used the internet to get online.