COMPUTER-mad Stockport is bracing itself for its biggest ever log-on this month.

Council education staff have set up 25 different courses, such as Computers for the Terrified and The European Computer Driving Licence.

They are announced in Go For It, this year's adult education supplement published by Stockport council.

Last year 93-year-old Margaret McFeeley became the oldest IT student in the borough when she enrolled on a basic computer awareness course, before moving onto more advanced courses.

This year the council is targeting children with a new course designed to give them their first 'byte' of information technology.

Demand

''The demand for IT courses is phenomenal as people not only want to improve their skills for work, but make the most of computers in their leisure time.

''Understanding computers is becoming more a necessity than a luxury,'' said Gay Turner, head of Stockport's Continuing Education Service.

''There are courses for everyone, right from the very basics to help people conquer any fears they have about computers through to specialist courses in different packages such as databases and internet technologies.

''For those who have mastered computing there is a very wide range of other courses from improving basic literacy and numeracy, which many people use as a way of getting back into education, to making clocks, learning about wines and spirits and natural healing through your hands.

''And for the third year running we have reduced or waived fees for many courses to help people on lower incomes. That means some people will pay as little as 80p per two hour session.''

Enrolment at adult education centres runs until September 14 via the freephone number 0800 3890768 which is open 10am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays, but also until 7pm on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday.