Complaints about gas and electricity services are among the biggest issues raised by residents at Braithwaite People's Association help desk.

But association members who man the desk boast a 98 per cent success rate in sorting out problems with the energy companies.

Mick Westerman, the association's chairman, says complaints have risen because there are now far more companies providing gas and electricity.

He stresses that people with problems should take along all their documentation, including reference numbers, so help desk volunteers can take up the matter immediately.

The help desk, held each Wednesday from 9.30-11.30am, provides free support with issues such as housing, debt and benefits.

Experts also attend the desk on a four-weekly rota -- the next ones are policeman Cliff Ashton on May 30 and a solicitor on June 6.

The help desk is an integral part of services provided by the BPA and its affiliated groups at the Keith Thompson Centre, in Braithwaite Avenue.

The Thompsons Toddlers group meets on Monday mornings and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, and the Top Tots playgroup has vacancies on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Senior citizens meet for games on Monday, bingo on Tuesday evening (at the Welcome Inn) and bingo on Friday afternoon.

The association held its annual meeting last week and re-elected chairman Mr Wester-man, secretary Alex Brown and treasurer John Philip.

Tom McNulty, who represents Keighley Friends of the Elderly and Disabled, was elected vice-chairman, and Billy Taylor and Pam King became committee members.

* The association is invading Guard House and Highfield in a bid to help "forgotten" council tenants and their neighbours.

The residents' group is expanding its borders across West Lane to include roads such as Redcliffe Street, Whin Knoll Avenue and Wardle Crescent.

Several of the streets fall just outside the Single Regeneration Budget zone that is bringing £18.7 million of government cash to the most run down areas of Keighley.

And they are just above Keighley's second SRB zone, Highfield, which is bringing £4 million to revitalise the streets of dilapidated terrace housing.

Many residents are dismayed they fell between the two areas and miss out on cash for new windows, doors, roofs and central heating.

Treasurer Mr Philip believes the area has been forgotten by Bradford council because many of the former council houses are now privately owned.

He said: "It's been left out. They don't seem to get anything. The streets and paths are a mess."

Residents of the streets are welcome to attend activities at the Keith Thompson Centre, run by the association's affiliated groups.

They can also attend the Wednesday morning help desk for advice.

* Don't be scared, just get wired!

That's the message from the association on the eve of its first satellite college course.

Computers for the Terrified is the title of the four-week course beginning on Monday for residents of Braithwaite and Guard House.

Keighley College is providing tuition for the free course at the Russell Street Project, off West Lane, starting at 10am.

Anyone aged 19 or over who wants to join the course should turn up a few minutes before to register.

The association is enrolling for its second course, keep fit, next Friday, at 10am, at the Keith Thompson Centre.