A plea has been made for new media helpers to train technology novices.

Next month, the Community Service Volunteers (CSV) Digital Clubhouse will open in central Brighton, offering free introductory sessions for those without access to a computer at home or work.

The CSV is looking for people with proven information technology experience or radio production skills to work as volunteer tutors at the centre.

Digital Clubhouse manager David Arnell said: "We will be offering two to three hour-long taster sessions.

"We will look at ways to illustrate the benefits of learning the skills, such as digitally restoring old photographs, rather than being bogged down in the technical side.

We offer the first steps and can then recommend other education facilities for people wanting to tackle indepth courses."

The CSV team would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of Photoshop, Excel, Word, web applications like Dreamweaver and Cool Edit or desktop publishing applications like Publisher or Quark.

Mr Arnell said: "Ideally, we would like to find two fulltime volunteers to act as tutors. But we are just as keen to hear from anyone who can spare a morning, an afternoon or maybe more each week.

It is all about providing a friendly environment to attract people who might not have had access to technology before, including the over 50s and the unemployed."

The training area will be equipped with a dozen computers with four more in an internet cafe at the new BBC Southern Counties Radio premises in Queens Road, Brighton.

The CSV and BBC have joined forces to work on the project, which is supported by the Government's UK online scheme.

To register as a tutor, call Debbie Smith on 0207 643 1373.