A Cleckheaton charity is making a hi-tech call for volunteers - thanks to a 16-year-old schoolboy.

Spen Valley Good Neighbours, which runs a befriending service for elderly and disabled people, now has a site on the Internet to attract helpers, clients and inspire the launch of similar groups across the globe.

Scott Ewart, whose grandmother founded the charity, said: "I got on the Internet a few months ago and I thought it would be a good way for the charity to advertise.

"A friend's dad who did a programming course told me how to make a site. It took me about four weeks but I'd have done it quicker if I wasn't revising for my GCSE's."

The St John Fisher High School pupil, of Fairfield Road, Heckmondwike, launched his site on-line on Tuesday.

The teenager, who wants to be a graphic artist, included background information about the group, explained how people become volunteers or clients, and listed telephone numbers and an e-mail address.

Site visitors can order an information pack about the group which explains how to set up similar friendship support schemes for other areas.

Scott's grandmother, 72-year-old Irene Farrah said: "Scott's done really well and we'll be including the address of the site on our literature.

"Most of our publicity had been done through posters and by ringing the press but hopefully lots of new people will look at the site and decide to take part. We always need more volunteers."

Scott's mother Christine Ewart, who also works for the charity, said: "We always knew Scott was the brains of the family and he's done really well considering he was doing exams. None of the rest of us knew where to start."

The charity, which is run from an office at Cleckheaton Town Hall, provides support for 55 clients aged up to 97 by organising home visits, shopping and hospital trips.

It was officially launched two years ago and is part funded by the National Lottery.

The new website can be found at: http://members.xoom.com/Spenvgn.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.