I WOULD like to use my column this week to tell you about something very exciting that will be happening soon on the This is York web site.

Along with our sister This Is... web sites across the country we will be introducing Community Pages, mini web sites available FREE to any local community group served by the Evening Press.

The aim is to create a community network allowing groups and charities who would not usually have a web presence to make themselves heard and to interact via the web.

This means that you and your group will be able to become part of a virtual local community.

The pages will be ordered by category to allow easy access by the user.

In Essex, where they gave this idea a dry run, the Community Pages became nearly as popular as the local news on the This is Essex web site.

The software for this is being made available by Newsquest, the company that owns the Evening Press, and is incredibly simple to use.

All you need to do is log on to the www.thisisyork.co.uk web site, register, and then enter the text you wish to appear on each web page. You can even add pictures too.

The software itself creates the actual web site for you, which will be accessible via the This is York web site, or via your very own URL (web address).

So not only is it free, but it is very straightforward. No awkward coding. No having to upload to remote servers. No techie gibberish.

You don't even need Internet access in your own home. Lots of local libraries offer Internet access and there are loads of brand new Internet cafs in town.

There's even a PC with the This is York web site on in the foyer of the Evening Press building in Walmgate.

The software that will allow you to do this is currently being developed and will be tested during the summer.

If you are interested in being involved in this exciting opportunity please let us know. Romy Dunn will be the community contact in the Digital Media Team and you can email her at romy.dunn@ycp.co.uk. Alternatively you contact her Monday to Wednesday by phoning the Evening Press switchboard - 01904 653051.