MANY said that the Internet would be the downfall of books and reading.

This could hardly be further from the truth.

The most recent MORI poll of Internet habits in the UK reports that 92 per cent of Internet users are surfing (reading) the Net seeking knowledge about places, products and services.

Sixty four per cent of these surfers are spending up to five hours a week online.

And the number one item surfers are purchasing is books.

To prove the point, one company selling books online has created a dedicated site to sell computer books.

Hammicks Bookshops' new site, www.computerbooks.uk.com, features more than 9,000 titles and claims 7,000 are available for delivery within 48 hours.

For students, a variety of sites supporting reading are available.

On www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk you'll find a direct link to SchoolsNet, which has a variety of activities and interesting items to read for kids, parents and teachers.

www.thecase.com/kids came recommended as a good place to read stories, learn magic tricks and do puzzles on line - all activities requiring reading.

The list of places to buy books online is growing - and even authors like Stephen King are creating books online, chapter by chapter.

Our sister site, www.thisisyork.co.uk, is running a twice weekly soap online! It's interactive and feedback has been fantastic.

If anything, reading may be improving because of the Net - especially access to information.

www.thisissite of the week: The Westmorland Gazette's website, www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk, now offers non profit groups, clubs and societies a free web site.

The intiative, CommuniGate (see our home page for a link), hosts a variety of great sites.

Check out 1st Windermere Sea Scout Group site under the CommuniGate link in the left index.

It's got a colourful, informative site - and has had a lot of visitors for a new born site!