BUSINESSES in East Bolton are being encouraged to use the new Internet payphones which BT has installed in the town centre.

The booths -- in Newport Street, Deansgate and Corporation Street, are phones with a keyboard and screen built in, allowing users to send e-mails and surf the Internet as well as making phone calls.

They will allow businesses without computers to update a website and promote themselves.

They also provide access to the on-line local supply chain as part of the Government's £20 million Single Regeneration Budget (SRB 6) investment programme for Breightmet, Tonge, Hall i' th' Wood and parts of Burnden, Darcy Lever and the Haulgh. Brian Ward is the Internet consultant for Business 4 East Bolton, the organisation which gives fully-funded websites and training to any business in the East Bolton area.

He said: "Companies can update these websites anywhere in the world without any special programming skills or software thanks to the on-line Website Creator.

"The main concept of Business 4 East Bolton is for the businesses and people of Bolton to be able to find a product or service locally, boosting the local economy."

This can be done by going to www.business4eastbolton.co.uk or www.boltoninf.net on one of the new payphones and typing the name of the product or service.

Businesses in East Bolton can contact Mr Ward on 01204 369903.