Thousands of people across Sussex will be able to use the internet for the first time without the need for a computer.

From next Monday, TV company ONdigital is offering households internet access through their sets.

It is one step towards the Government's vision of internet access for all by 2005.

PM Tony Blair hopes to combine schemes like this with PCs in community centres, libraries and computer loan centres to ensure no one is left behind in the internet revolution (see story top right).

From next week any of ONdigital's 775,000 subscribers can surf the web and send e-mail at the cost of £5 a month without having to buy a computer or a digital TV.

Apart from a normal TV and phone line, all that is needed is a set-top box the size of a paperback book and a cordless keyboard - both provided free by the company.

The one catch is customers must also sign up for the company's digital TV service, which starts from £6.99 a month.

Once connected, users can surf the net at a special rate of 1p per minute off-peak and at weekends and 2p per minute at other times.

Chief executive Stuart Prebble said: "For the millions of people who have been left behind by the internet revolution, ONnet is the easiest way to get online.

"Why spend hundreds of pounds on a computer when you can access the internet on the TV that already sits in your living room?"

Councils across Sussex are also committed to getting as many people connected to the internet as possible.

Don Turner, lead councillor for economic development for Brighton and Hove Council, said: "The council is doing an immense amount to give communities and small businesses affordable access to IT.

"Funding has helped convert a Whitehawk pub for computer training, computer courses are available at the Unemployed Centre and IT training is being provided for small businesses in the BN2 area."