The older generation has not grown up with computers at work or technology in the supermarket. For many of them, the new fangled box in the corner was the television.

Now David Reynolds, 63, from Seaford, has been teaching the basics of computing to the so-called silver surfers in Sussex.

David has been working with Hairnet, a national organisation promoting the computer as a route to wider learning for the older generation.

He said: "In 1976 I was working on the third floor of a tower block in Brighton and the lower floors housed an ICL 1900 computer. Now I have a machine on my desk that has similar computing power.

"There have been great changes in technology over the years which many people have not been a part of. I want to show how simple and fun it can be to use a modern computer."

David had a lengthy career as an environmental scientist before retiring in 1995 to sail round the world in a Royal Air Force yachting rally. Last year, he signed up with Hairnet and started to gather students from within his desig-nated BN postcode area.

He said: "A lot of people can be nervous about working in a point-and-click environment and so confidence-building is key to the training.

"I teach all my students on a one-to-one basis. This personalised tuition means students get to learn about what they are interested in and what is appropriate to their specific needs."

Dr Kevin Collins has been learning about his first computer with David's help.

Dr Collins opened Chrysalis Institute of Natural Health Therapies, near Eastbourne, in October to practice a range of non-invasive treatments, such as reiki and homeopathy.

He has been mastering his trade for three decades but the world of comput-ing was a mystery to him.

He said: "I decided it was time to buy a computer when I started my business. I didn't know what to do with it and I was worried about running up huge bills by getting onto the internet but not logging-off or worse.

"I needed somebody to guide me through everything."

David plans to sign up to teach the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), a certificate recognised across the Continent as demonstrating competency in computer skills.

He said: "The ECDL qualification can be a stepping stone to equipping people to start over again in the modern workplace."

www.hairnet.org