VOLUNTEERS at the Village Church Farm have taken delivery of computer equipment to kit out a training room at the site.

Skegness Academy has donated a range of technology including computers, monitors, an interactive white board and projector plus several desks and chairs to enable a training room to be set up.

Preparations are currently underway at the Skegness heritage site for the new season opening on March 31.

The donation has given an added boost as the Village received a £10,000 grant from Lincolnshire Co-operative last year to help with the project.

Skegness Mayor and chairman of Village Church Farm Ltd, Councillor Steve Kirk received the equipment last week.

He said: "We have had the grant to convert what was the shop, into a training room. We get a lot of school parties and a lot of adults have shown an interest that they would like to learn more about the history of the site and farming and agriculture in general.

"We don't have a modern space people could work in so we are setting up a dedicated training room. What we are also hoping to do is join a group of people who give free IT lessons to silver surfers.

"This donation is thousands of pounds worth of equipment which is fantastic."

The donation means that The Village can now look at buying equipment to show specialist films at the site as a number of people have shown interest in seeing some of the original footage of attractions such as Bob the traction engine.

As soon as the facility is complete Skegness Academy students are hoping to extend their studies by visiting the centre both during the school day and for after school clubs.

The donation has been made possible after an IT refit at the Academy.

Principal, Kelvin Hornsby said: "We are willing to support valuable projects that allow the local community to engage in learning activities and to develop knowledge that could improve standards of education."

The final transfer of the site from East Lindsey District Council is still to be completed so some of the planned works have had to be put on hold but the new season opening will take place on March 31 as planned.