Sending emails and shopping online are just some of the technology skills that elderly people in St Albans have learnt thanks to a council grant.

St Albans District Council used its Community Grant Fund to set up three groups to help older residents keep in touch.

Community group Computer Friendly received £5,000 to provide basic IT training for people in London Colney, Park Street and Colney Heath.

A further £2,240 was given to Batford Community Action Group’s IT project, which taught people how to send emails and do their shopping online.

The council also gave £800 to Wheathampstead Community Group to help it run its internet cafe.

Councillor Beric Read, portfolio holder for community engagement and localism at the council, said: "These projects are doing invaluable work in enabling people to communicate digitally or to get information online.

"People who cannot access websites or use email can feel disadvantaged or isolated in the modern world.

"The council places a very high value on the important work that voluntary and community groups are doing in the district."