TEACHERS throughout Gwent found out more about one of the oldest transport routes in the area - by computer.

They were at the launch of a new CD-rom for six-year-olds which will teach children about the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

The CD-rom follows Phileas Frog on his journey along the canal from Monmouthshire, where the canal begins at Govilon, all the way down through Pontypool and Cwmbran to Newport, and then back up to Risca.

Teachers from Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen attended the launch at Henllys Church in Wales School in Cwmbran. Designed to bring the canal to life in the classroom, the interactive CD-rom is a joint effort from British Waterways, local councils, and the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust.

Ceris Spooner, deputy head at Henllys CIW School and one of the team that designed the CD-rom, said her Year three class had helped in the launch.

She said: "The children loved it. They were playing the games and doing the activities. The idea is to teach them about the canal and what goes on on it. It also shows how the regeneration has been undertaken. It brings the canal into the classroom."

Mrs Spooner said the free CD-rom will be available to all primary schools in Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen.

* In the picture: Ceris Spooner with (from left) pupils Thomas Norton, Alastair Hughes and Laura Williams.