Older people will be given free computers as part of a new Barnet Council initiative.

The council hopes to hand out around ten second-hand PCs a month to residents over 55 who would otherwise not be able to afford one.

Council leader Mike Freer said: "This scheme will help in our priority aim of supporting the vulnerable, by giving older people the equipment that can help them connect with other people from their own homes and discover a world of technology that can be delivered through a PC.

"It is a very practical and useful way that the council can give something to the community and puts equipment that the council no longer needs to good use among our older population."

Decisions on who will get a computer will be made by a panel of council officers and a representative from Barnet Voluntary Service Council, who will administer the scheme.

All computers come pre-loaded with the Windows XP operating system.

For more information on how to sign up for the scheme contact the council's grants unit on 020 8359 2020.