FREE computers, colour printers and software, plus subsidised management and marketing advice and support are now available to local businesses through a borough council funded initiative to promote tourism in East Kent.

The Wired Host scheme offers training sessions for owners and staff of holiday accommodation, caravan parks and visitor attractions. The courses cover management, marketing, customer service, information technology and how to boost occupancy and visit numbers. Each course costs £15 and they are held at venues across East Kent.

Eligible tourism business is able to apply for the free computer package on completion of the Wired Host scheme. Several local businesses have already taken advantage of the course held at the Holiday Inn Garden Court at Hothfield last week.

They included Yoga Energy Centres, Wyard Print and Artworks, Beba Farms, Ashford Town Centre Partnership, Bettergolf Centre, R n K Lets, Kent and East Sussex Railway, Ashford International Hotel, Mainfold Associates, The Old Granary and Shepherd Neame.