A 14-year-old student has been named BT's Internet Ranger of the Year, as a reward for her efforts in helping to bridge the digital divide.

Jenny Pidgley from Southampton was recognised after running free computer sessions for older people at her school for the last two years.

She teaches basic IT skills such as using broadband services and sending emails.

Jenny was nominated by Jean Adams from Age Concern New Forest East, who helps to run the classes.

She commented: "It is important to promote inter-generational projects like this because it is far too often that young people get bad press."

Martha Lane Fox, the government's Digital Champion, described Jenny as "a great example of how young people can help get older people online".

"If just another half a million teenagers follow her lead, we can have everyone online by 2012," she stated.

Internet service provider BT is currently investing £1.5 billion nationwide upgrading local telephone exchanges to support faster broadband services.