AT an age when most people are content to sit back, play a game of bingo or a hand of whist, octogenarian Andoverian Fred Lacy has been proving that computing is not simply the territory of the young.

For Fred has just completed the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), a comprehensive study into computing recognised by the British Computer Society.

Fred, aged 83, is a volunteer helper at the free Age Concern computer classes for people aged over 50, run at Cricklade College on Wednesday afternoons during term time. In recognition of his work the college granted Fred the opportunity to take the ECDL for free and he now hopes it will improve his computing ability in the future.

The course comprised seven modules which include topics such as databases, spreadsheets, information and communication, the web and e-mailing.

Fred began the course in May and finished up at the beginning of September by scoring 100 per cent on his last two modules.

The college runs other shorter courses but Fred recommends people take the ECDL.

"If you really want to get to grips with computing and gain a recognised qualification, which could help you in your career, the ECDL course is the one for you," said Fred.