AN OLDHAM technology firm is celebrating after it won a share of a potential £300m government contract to get young people online.

Positive IT Solutions won the contract in the face of stiff competition from larger firms and is the only approved company in northern England.

It is one of five national suppliers to the Home Access scheme, which targets families that either have no internet access or have internet access but do not use it for their children's benefit, or do not think it has educational value. It also aims to help those who cannot afford home access or need support in obtaining it.

The scheme is being administered by Becta, part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

A £30.3m trial is currently being held in Oldham and Suffolk until September, and funding to bring the scheme to other local authorities will be announced next November.

Managing director Paul Milner said: "It means a huge expansion for us and we are currently developing a home access centre in Ashton Road which opened at the beginning of this month.

"It includes a demonstration showroom, a call centre and sales areas for families to get advice and information on computers, software and broadband access.

"We are currently recruiting staff for the new premises, and longer term will look to establish home access centres in other areas when the scheme goes national.

"We were told that ours was an outstanding bid, and scored full marks in the appraisal."

Application forms to get involved in the scheme are handed out through Oldham schools, targeting the 3,200 primary and 5,700 secondary school children who are eligible in the borough.

Operations manager Aaron Bryer said: "It's not just for the children, as the whole family should benefit.

"One of the reasons why our bid was so highly rated was the emphasis put on helping the whole family by closing the digital divide that disadvantages low income families."

The pilot scheme runs until September, followed by a consultation period and funding for roll-out to other local authorities which will be announced next November.

Positive IT Solutions was established in 2006.