FORMER Stereophonics drummer and now TV presenter Stuart Cable opened a multimedia suite at an Ebbw Vale youth centre.

The Digilab at the Brynteg Youth and community centre is a state-of-the-art technology facility offering full multimedia facilities to users of the centre.

The equipment includes three high-spec computers, a multimedia computer, three Pentabs (portable computer tablets for presentations), two laptops, a Smartboard, scanner, projector and webcams.

The lab has broadband internet access, and a variety of software to enable projects to be undertaken, from music recording to video production.

The facilities are open for anyone to use once they have registered, although they are particularly aimed at people aged between 16-25.

The Digilab has been funded by a partnership between Blaenau Gwent's lifelong learning division, Canllaw Online, Fujitsu and Objective 1 funding.

A spokeswoman for the council said Stuart was clearly impressed with the equipment as he was given a demonstration of the facilities, before spending time with the users of the Brynteg centre, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Councillor Gill Clark, executive member for helping people into work, said: "This is an outstanding new facility, and along with its counterpart in Abertillery offers access to some of the most powerful and versatile IT equipment available.

"High quality IT skills are vital to young people in the modern job market, and this project can really give a head start to the next generation responsible for driving Blaenau Gwent's economy forward.

"I'd like to thank Stuart Cable for giving up his time to visit the centre - it was really important to the young people."

For details on the Digilabs, contact Michelle Whyatt on 07966 067518 or Damian Briggs 01495 212244.