A company has been set up to make it easier for older people to use computers, e-mail and the internet.

Portslade-based Clickton targets its business specifically at people over 50 who have never used the internet before.

The company aims to advise potential customers in all aspects of owning and using a computer, from connecting to an internet service provider to what kind of desk they will need.

Once a customer has bought a computer, the company will make sure it is installed and ready to use in his or her home.

A member of its tutoring staff will call round to give the new computer owner three hours of instruction in basic computing skills.

All the tutors are in the same peer group as the customers themselves.

This gives them an insight into the problems which can be encountered by older people.

Company founder Tony Gray said: "They can say to the customer 'I have done it, so you can do it. These are the problems I had when I started and I'll show you how to make it easy'.

"A lot of them are retired IT professionals or people who just enjoy doing this job.

"It is incredibly fulfilling to bring this technology to a generation which has up to now been ignored by the internet revolution."

He added: "The idea is that by the time the tutor leaves, every new owner will at least be able to surf the web, write a letter and send e-mails."

Clickton, which works closely with the University of the Third age, also provides customers with links to 800 specially chosen sites which are interesting and easy to use via its website, clickton.com.

The site can also be used by customers' friends and family to remote his or her e-mail address book and update important address details.

Mr Gray and co-founder Joe Garner had the idea for the company when both men were living and working in Romania.

Magazine publisher Mr Gray and advertising manager Mr Garner both realised the best way to keep in touch with their families was by e-mail.

But their parents, aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s, had little or no experience of computers.

Mr Gray said: "I thought to myself, now why isn't there a company I can contact, get them to deliver a PC to my mother, set it up and show her how to use it?"

www.clickton.com