Libraries in Oxfordshire are to get 200 more computers with faster access to the Internet thanks to a grant of £880,000.

The county council has been given a slice of a £4.2m grant from the National Lottery by the New Opportunities Fund.

Oxfordshire was one of eight local authorities picked to share the cash, which must be spent on installing state-of-the-art computer technology for library users.

The cash will go towards the installation of 30 additional computers for public use in Oxford's Central Library, in the Westgate Centre, which currently only has three terminals.

Additional computers will be installed in smaller libraries, which currently have just one terminal.

The new hi-tech network will mean library users will have faster access and be able to download pictures and videos.

Assistant county librarian Charles Pettit said: "The money will be spent over 18 months. You cannot put in a high-speed connections network and more than 200 computers in 43 libraries overnight.

"I think this will attract new people to the libraries.

"People will come in and be able to use word processors, spreadsheets and other applications. They can use the library to e-mail friends and relatives and enjoy faster links than they might have at home."

A charge of 50p for ten minutes Internet access is currently charged but in the long term the county council hopes to provide a free service.