A CUMBRIAN charity is fighting to keep a bus, on which farmers living in the most isolated parts of South Lakeland can learn vital IT skills, on the road, reports Ruth Lythe.

The farm computerbus, which provides a range of onboard IT courses and is equipped with seven computers, is run by Penrith-based charity the Pentalk Network, in conjunction with Kendal-based Watershed Training.

Pentalk established IT training courses and free computers for farmers in 2001 as a response to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

But now the bus's future is under threat after the University of Central Lancashire, which has funded the courses through the Learning and Skills Council, withdrew funding for the courses to prioritise courses that are A-level type equivalents such as BTECs or first diplomas.

There is now only enough cash to run four more courses from the bus from a Cumbria County Council grant and, after this money runs out, the bus's future is uncertain.

Ann Risman, organiser of the Pentalk Network, said that the computer bus provided a "lifeline" for farmers, who would not be able to easily reach urban centres.

Over 2,500 people on 1,966 farms are presently registered with Pentalk, which over the past five years has run 400 courses across the county.