Balloons were released in Abingdon town centre to mark the official launch of free Internet.

Routers have been installed at the old County Hall in Market Place, and close to the Abbey Meadows swimming pool, meaning visitors to the town centre and boaters coming up the River Thames can log on to the Internet for free.

Only two other towns in the country - Norwich and Scarborough - are thought to have wi-fi zones.

The service was officially launched on Saturday with a balloon race and laptop demonstrations in the Market Place. Children were also invited to post messages on a blog, explaining why they liked Abingdon.

Abingdon Town Council, which commissioned the scheme, hopes it will draw more visitors to the area. CTS installed the wi-fi for free, in exchange for advertising space on the home page, which also advertises events in the town.

Town council website working party chairman Samantha Bowring said: "This is a pioneering scheme which reflects the town council's commitment to the continued vitality of Abingdon town centre.

"Abingdon is the oldest inhabited town in the country and it will now be at the forefront of a new phase in connecting everyone to the Internet.

"I hope that the new zone is successful and that more town centre companies help us to extend the wi-fi area."