BALLOONS were released in Abingdon town centre to mark the official launch of free Internet for residents.

Internet routers have been installed in Abingdon Museum, in Market Place, and close to the Abbey Meadows Open Air Swimming Pool, meaning that visitors to the town centre and boaters coming up the River Thames can log onto the Internet for free.

It is thought that only two other towns in the country have wi-fi zones - Norwich and Scarborough.

On Saturday, the service was officially launched 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 IT company CTS to install the routers, hope that it will draw more visitors to the area as the home page advertises events going on in the town. CTS installed the wi-fi for free in exchange for advertising space on the page.

Samantha Bowring, chairman of the council's website working party, 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 is forging ahead with one of the newest technologies.

"Abingdon 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."