ALTHOUGH the power of word-of-mouth cannot be refuted, the role of the web in connecting people throughout the globe is gathering steam.

Although the concept of having a town meeting online, rather than in the local hall, may seem a far off notion, many residents, especially those in isolated or remote locations, are embracing the technology.

The popularity of web sites for community groups can be seen first hand on www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk's CommuniGate - the free web site service for clubs, groups and organisations.

From the St John Ambulance Brigade, in Sedberg, to the 1st Sea Scout Group, in Windemere, to the Northern Playrights of South Cumbria and numerous sports clubs - everyone is joining in.

The advantage of communicating on the web is the driving force behind all these sites.

The number of sites being created in people's homes around the county is growing daily.

Community groups can now enhance their print news by putting it on their own web site using this free service from the Gazette.

The web site can become the community's bulletin board of news and events and, in the rainy season, having an indoor place to post information can be a definite advantage.

The beauty of the web - and services like CommuniGate - is that it surpasses all age, geographic and social boundaries - from the Millom Under 16s Football Club to the Crook Folk Dance Group, there is something for everyone.

Isolated and rural communities worldwide have embraced the web for just this reason.

One site, www.maranatha.org was set up to recruit volunteers urgently needed to construct religious buildings all over the world.

A virtual, global authors' club was set up at trace.ntu.ac.uk to create a community for writers from around the world.

This virtual group also provided the special programming needed so disabled users could have access - a service that is slowly spreading throughout the web.

In Canada, where education was brought to isolated communities in the early 1900s in a rail car, a special site - www.huron.org - has been set up to commemorate the activities.

The sky is the limit.

The world is your oyster.

The web is the answer.

For information call the Web Editor, Kate Harrison, at 01539-720555 or email at kate.harrison@notes.newsquest.co.uk.