TIDWORTH and Lud-gershall libraries are helping people to explore the world through the touch of a button - by providing free broadband access to the internet.

New computers have been installed in both libraries and each one is now wired up to the information super highway as part of a £1m investment programme.

Librarians at Wiltshire County Council have spent the past month training to ensure they can help people surf the net following two years of preparation.

A total of 144 computers with scanning and printing facilities have been installed across the county's 30 public libraries and behind the scenes high-speed broadband connections to the internet ensure a fast service for library surfers.

The computers are loaded with a wide range of the latest Microsoft XP software - including Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher - to enable people not only to send emails and surf the net, but also to prepare any documents they need.

The equipment will be open to everyone who is a Wiltshire library member although it will be advisable to book the terminals.

Computer sessions will be free although there will be a small charge for any printing.

Previously only 11 libraries in Wiltshire had been connected by slower ISDN lines to the internet.

The project was funded through a National Lottery grant by the New Opportunities Fund as part of a £200 million national scheme to connect to the internet every library that is open ten or more hours a week in England.

Pauline Palmer, assistant director for libraries and heritage, said: "We are moving into the 21st century in a really big way with these computers.

"For the first time every library in Wiltshire will be connected to the internet.

"By giving people free access to this unique resource we can help people get access to the information they need." Peter Tansey, IT consultant for BT, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this important initiative.

"The new network will really enhance internet access for citizens, visitors, librarians and administrators across the county.

High-speed broadband offers an exciting new world, which would have seemed an impossible dream not so many years ago."