Online centres around Bristol are offering people the chance to try using the internet for the first time.

The city's "Free-4-all" sessions are being held on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in 75 schools, colleges, community centres, libraries and purpose-built community centres.

Experts are on hand to help visitors try surfing the net, sending an email, playing a computer game or using a digital camera.

The event is part of a government initiative which aims to give access to the internet to everyone who wants it by 2005.

First step

One of the organisers, Jony Russell, said many of the centres were in disadvantaged areas.

He said: "One of the main reasons behind the UK online initiative is to bring access to the internet for people who wouldn't otherwise be able to have it or afford it.

"The idea of the open sessions is that we want to help people take that first step.

"It is not necessarily just learning about computers but all about how you can improve your life and improve your self-confidence by overcoming barriers."