Coastline Housing is encouraging the grandchildren of elderly residents to help break down barriers to internet access for hundreds of its tenants.

The social housing group, based in Camborne, says thousands of low income families trapped in the downward spiral of IT poverty face a bleak future as the 21st century leaves them behind.

Significant pockets of the population - low paid and often living in social housing - are missing out as the digital revolution gathers pace.

Coastline says urgent action is needed to ensure victims of the 'Digital Divide', which separates the 'haves' from the 'have nots' of the IT world, do not become a permanent technological underclass.

It is responding to the needs of its own customers by planning to have internet cafes in four of its sheltered housing schemes.

The first was opened two years ago in Hens Horn Court, Helston, after Coastline won a competition run by Digital Unite.

Miners Court, the first of three similar cafes planned for sheltered housing schemes in Camborne and Redruth was opened on 30 November. Veor House opened in December and Trelawney Court will follow.

The internet cafes have been made possible with a grant from Get Digital www.getdigital.org.uk which is also providing specialist tutors who will run activities and provide training to make sure that all residents are able to get involved if they wish to.

Beth Lawton, Coastline’s Head of ICT, who is championing the move to overcome digital exclusion, said: “The cafes are not just about accessing the internet, they also have Nintendo Wiis and digital cameras to encourage participation.

“The equipment has already been in use, with grandchildren showing their grandparents what can be done.”

A second stage of the scheme will allow residents to choose what additional equipment they would like in order to follow their interests and become more involved.

Coastline is committed to increasing the digital inclusion of their customers, and internet cafes are part of a wider initiative encouraging and enabling customers to get online.

The aim is to provide internet access for 40 per cent of Coastline’s customers by 2011, with the figure rising to 65 per cent by 2014.