FREE Internet access has been introduced to parts of Abingdon in a bid to attract more visitors to its town centre.

Abingdon Town Council is eager to stop people in their tracks as they pass through the area, and is today launching the online scheme to encourage people to stay.

An Internet router, has been installed inside Abingdon Museum, allowing anyone in the area around the Bury Street precinct and towards the River Thames to benefit from free wireless Internet connection.

Sandra Hill, deputy town clerk, hoped visitors would use the free connection to look up things to do.

She said: "This will allow tourists to come and see what's happening in the area.

"People having a coffee should be able to access our wi-fi hot-spot. Or they can sit in the precinct with their computers.

"I am hoping that soon visitors coming up the river with their laptops will look and see what's happening in Abingdon, and will be kept up to date with what's going on."

Traders in the town have complained they are struggling to survive with spiralling rents and traffic problems.

The town council came to an agreement with IT company CTS, based on Milton Park, to install and maintain the connection free, in exchange for an advert on the homepage.

When people log on to the council's wi-fi connection, the welcome page has listings of what to do and see in the town.

Noureem Cristain, manager of Costa coffee shop, in Bury Street Precinct, said: "That is great news.

"I have had so many customers walk into the shop asking if we have got a wireless connection, but now we will have it free of charge."

CTS office manager Karen Cutting said: "The council is really keen to get people coming into Abingdon and everybody is really happy with the idea.

"If you are in the Market Place with a sandwich and your laptop at lunchtime, then you can connect and log right on."