A NINETY-year-old great grandmother is spearheading a group of silver surfers at a care home.

Retired medical secretary Joy Storey is among the residents of Penpergwm House, near Abergavenny, who have been enjoying internet shopping, chatting on social media and cyber travelling to far away destinations thanks to iPad classes.

Activity coordinators have launched the weekly iPad session to familiarise residents with touch-screen technology and social media communication.

Mrs Storey, who grew up in Ebbw Vale, said: "I wouldn’t want to be without it now – it’s a way of getting outside. It is more difficult going out on my own now and it gives me freedom.”

“I like searching for answers for the impossible clues in the newspaper crossword. I love Google Earth – do you know you can sit at the top of a mountain?

"Last week I was up Mount Everest and the week before that Mount Helena. I’ve found my way to my niece’s house in Massachusetts. I just love standing on that yellow line in the road, you can go anywhere.”

The great grandmother picked up her first iPad two years ago after finally getting to grips with her mobile phone.

She said: “Getting used to a mobile phone was really difficult so by the time I got to the iPad I sort of knew what I was doing and quickly realised it wouldn’t blow up if I pressed the wrong button.

“I use it for emails because I have a niece living in Massachusetts and another in Scotland.

The iPad classes are held for an hour each week and attract up to 15 residents and day care visitors.