CONGRATULATIONS to Bolton businessman John Blackburn for using one of today's most well-used communications trends sensibly.

Texting has become massively popular, and getting youngsters to use an ordinary computer QWERTY keyboard is proving an uphill struggle.

So, he has come up with a mobile phone-style pad that operates the computer.

This is already proving a hit with some pupils who have tried it out, and local schools are showing an interest.

You obviously don't need to halt progress - just adapt it to a format that kids enjoy. Simple!