Free wi-fi and laptop access at Telford community centres

The council is also introducing free wi-fi at 17 other council-owned buildings which will give residents access to the internet. The authority has also made 30 laptops available for community use.

The free wi-fi will be available at all of the council-owned sites, including Dawley High Street, the new Southwater development, and Telford Tennis Centre.

Anyone within 100 metres of the transmitters will be able to access the wi-fi network for free.

Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services and Co-operative Council, said: "The council is committed to make it as easy as possible for residents to access the internet and I am delighted that we are able to make wi-fi available to the public at so many sites.

"As a Co-operative Council, we have been able to link up with local business Lyreco who have very kindly donated over 30 laptops which will now be available for public use in our community centres."

Telford & Wrekin has a robust and high-speed network that links all council buildings and schools through a mix of fibre and wireless infrastructure. Introducing wireless to these buildings comes at no extra cost to the council.

As part of an ongoing project, there is a requirement to install wireless hot spots in local centres – transmitting a wireless signal up to 100 metres' radius.

Customers log on to the internet by using their Flex or library card, a system that has been trialled successfully at the new Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre.

The first community centres to benefit from public use laptops and wi-fi are Sutton Hill and Leegomery, with more following shortly.

For more details call (01952) 382180.

By Jon Pritchard