ALCESTER Town Council is to take its first tentative step onto the information superhighway by looking at other council websites with a view to setting up its own.

The council is keen to become involved with the internet but cannot feasibly do so until it has moved into its new offices at the former magistrates court, where it will be able to access a telephone line to set up a site, but this is not expected to be until late next year.

The idea was discussed at a town council meeting last week where it was decided councillors would surf the net to look at the layout of other council sites.

Councillor Peter Crabtree said: "If we want to get younger people interested in this council it would be a retrograde step not to think about setting up a website.

"It would be an ideal way of getting the council well-known to the electorate and if we keep putting it back we will be criticised for it."

Councillor Jim Kenyon suggested it should be determined who was going to create and update the site, and what was going to go on it.

District and county councillor Susan Juned said e-mail and the internet were priority facilities for all councils.

She also said the town council could take part in a pilot scheme designed to establish access with all parish councils.

But councillor Ron Leek said: "Would people look for town councils on the web?

"The general public couldn't give a damn other than if there is an issue important to them.

"That's reflected in the number of people who vote or put names forward for council members."