PINTS, pies and microchips will soon be on offer in Dales pubs as regulars tap into an internet initiative.

Three state-of-the art computers are being installed at the Golden Lion, Horton-in- Ribblesdale providing pub-goers with the opportunity to eat, drink and e-mail. And in what must be one of the most sought after posts in teaching, a tutor will be on hand to offer free advice.

Organised by the Licensed Victuallers and Community Education Service, the idea is to offer isolated rural communities the chance to discover computers.

Landlady Tricia Johnson said: "I think this will be a benefit to the village. A lot of people use computers, but haven't got one of their own and would like to learn how to use one."

The scheme is funded by the Government through the UK Online Initiative which aims to increase access to the internet. Fifteen pubs across North Yorkshire are involved with the scheme, including the Masons Arms at Eastby where four computers are being installed.

In addition, three buses are being converted into mobile computer rooms, one of which will be touring Craven in June. They will run to a timetable, calling at remote villages and offering internet opportunities.

Lucy Darwin, mobile ICT co-ordinator, said: "Some people don't want to go to a big college to learn computers, but would spend five minutes on it if there was one in their village. The pub is the hub of the community. We think it will be very well used."

Laptops are also available to help boost training in rural communities.

John Collins, of the community education department at Settle High School, says the laptops can be used to familiarise people with computers so they are competent to use the pub facilities and can also be used by farmers' groups or voluntary organisations such as the WI.