COMPUTING in the community is the aim that has now been achieved at Langland's Community Centre, thanks to the work of residents.

The development of a new computer room at the centre is increasing evidence that it is offering opportunities in an area of Malvern that has traditionally been without them.

The Baxters Walk centre opened in December last year, after a great deal of time and effort from residents to convert it from the old Malvern Hills Homeless Young Adults Trust building.

The new premises replaced the bungalow at Sherrards Green Road, which had been used by the Langland Community Association as its base since 1996.

This week, the centre saw the completion of its new first-floor computer room, complete with ISDN Internet facilities. It was created using a £30,000 grant from the government-funded University for Industry and is run by Community Online from the Worcester College of Technology. The facility gives residents access to computers for a £10-a-year enrolment fee.

Courses in IT, word processing, Internet use and many more are also available, as well as a free "come and have a go" taster course.

"One of the best things about this is that it provides Internet access for any purpose," said Alan Wellings, the head of Community Online.

As well as the upstairs computers, there is also a terminal downstairs for disabled users and a ramp at the entrance for easier access.

Almost all of the refurbishment of the former semi-detached house was done by local residents, including carpet laying, painting, taking down walls and cleaning up the garden.

"The work local people have put into this is amazing," said Laurence Gough, trustee of the LCA and a local resident. "The online room is separately run in some respects but it's still an integral part of the centre."

Although the online centre has only just opened, the initial feedback seems to be good. Steve Oliver, ICT technician for Community Online, said: "We've had quite a bit of interest,"

Learning centre assistant Paula McElearney said:"We've been around local outlets and in the community and putting flyers through doors. We just want people to know we're here, and we're a gateway for all sorts of things."

As well as the computer room, the centre also provides a crche for children up to the age of four, with brightly painted walls, cuddly toys and books. There are two meeting rooms available to hire, a baby changing room, a waiting room and several offices.

The house required considerable work before it was fit to use.

"The whole house was pretty atrocious when we first moved in," said Mr Gough. "The reception in particular was bad, as it used to be a laundry, and was all damp."

Among the groups that use the centre regularly are the Borrowers Toy Library on Friday mornings and Women's Outreach from Monday to Thursday. On Monday, the downstairs office is home to the Citizens Advice Bureau, while the Youth Enquiry Service are in residence on Tuesdays. The sizeable garden is used for children to play in, although there are plans to convert some of it into a car park, to cope with the increasing traffic.

"We're pleased and proud of what the association has achieved," said Mr Gough. "But our primary pleasure is providing something the whole community can use."