SETTLE'S former courthouse is to be transformed into a state of the art information technology learning centre by March next year.

Craven College, which is behind the project, has been given the go-ahead by the police and has secured funding for the scheme, which is the first stage in a wider project to establish a North Yorkshire learning network.

The Settle centre will be linked to Craven College at Skipton, which in turn will be linked with Harrogate, Yorkshire Coast, Askham Bryan and Selby Colleges, giving people in North Craven access to a wide range of courses.

The centre will have a minimum of 15 computers, plus some lap tops, and up-to-the minute presentation equipment, all of which will be available for use by the general public.

It is envisaged that local businesses in particular will benefit a great deal from the facilities.

Tying in with the Settle centre will be another facility at Ingleborough Community Centre, Ingleton, which will be called a learning zone, rather than a centre.

It will have six computers, plus six lap tops which will be available for local businesses to hire.

"Absolutely anybody at all will be able to go in and use either centre's equipment. There may have to be a booking process, it will depend on demand, but the idea is to have drop in centres to begin with," said Craven College's development officer, Margaret Billing.

"Next March the centres will open and the facilities will be there. It should be a major development for North Craven," she added.

Other centres are also planned to link in with Settle and Ingleton. These include Askrigg and Bentham, and the college is looking at setting up something in Grassington.

"It is trying to reach people who can't get into college," said Mrs Billing.

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