CLEANERS at Oxford Brookes University have been swapping their mops and buckets for the high-tech world of computers.

And now spreadsheets and word processing are almost as familiar to them as polishing and dusting.

The 17 members of staff were so keen to become part of the computer generation that they attended special classes at the beginning of their 7am shift - when most of the university's students were probably still asleep in their beds.

One of the group, grandmother Marie Spragg, 58, of Robsart Place, Cumnor, Oxford, said: "Before the course I would be in the university's computer room doing all the cleaning. I was always fascinated and wondering whether I should press a button or not.

"When I got the chance I decided to go for it. I was ever so interested but my grandchildren thought it was a bit funny. I'm looking forward to sending an e-mail."

Fellow cleaner Andy Lygo, 47, of Wood Farm Road, Headington, added: "I'd never even touched a computer before but they're addictive."

Now he is contemplating gaining further training and possibly getting work in the field of computers. Reenie Hilland, 58, of William Kimber Crescent, Headington, said: "Before the course I'd look at my grandchildren playing computer games and I had no idea how to use a computer.

"It was a bit daunting at first but my grandchildren think it's wonderful that gran can do all these things on a computer."

The group, who were offered the computing course as part of an essential skills scheme run by the university, were this week presented with special certificates to mark the achievement.

Their boss, the university's cleaning manager Brian Syde, said: "I think it's marvellous they've achieved what they have."

Some of them are planning to carry on with their studies and gain City and Guilds qualifications.

And now word processing and spreadsheets are nearly as familiar to them as the business end of a vacuum cleaner.

Oxford Mail systems manager Iain Johnson said: "I just hope they have been taught not to take the top off the computers and dust inside.

"They don't like it."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.