AN INNOVATIVE project to improve IT skills and make the Internet more accessible to community groups has had a successful first year, say organisers.

Torfaen council's Webster.uk.net is a £1.6 million community portal which provides council services online, helps businesses and keeps citizens informed about events and issues.

The service is available through any Internet-ready PC or through 15 public kiosks installed throughout Torfaen.

The site was created by and for members of the public, with European funding, and includes information on local sports, hobbies, businesses, charities, social clubs and more.

In its first year, the Webster site has had more than two million hits and 200 community groups and businesses have joined up.

Webster has grown to more than 1,000 pages, 500 from the member groups and 500 more pulled in from other websites. Richard Edmunds, e-government manager at Torfaen council, said: "I think Webster has been very successful in its first year.

"It has become a valuable source of information and services for groups throughout the borough. It is starting to make a real difference to people."

He said some local businesses were taking full advantage of the facility with innovative and exciting content.

On Friday, pupils at Fairwater High School in Cwmbran helped to celebrate Webster's first anniversary with a special democratic participation event.

Year-ten pupils were given the challenge to come up with suggestions of what they would do to make the borough better if they were in charge of Torfaen.

They used an electronic application on Webster to vote for their favourite idea.

Mr Edmunds said more Webster kiosks are being installed throughout Torfaen, including some in local shops.

He said it is hoped the project could expand with more multi-media content if Torfaen council agrees to support Webster financially after European funding has run out.