He said: "I started about five weeks ago because my wife has had a computer for a number of years and I knew nothing about how it worked.

"She helped me a little bit but then I started this course for oldies like myself and I've managed to pick it up quite well.

"I have always enjoyed writing with a pen but it's nice to reply to an e-mail with an e-mail. I have a daughter in Israel and it's nice to be able to respond to her e-mail straight away."

Fellow pensioner Jill Rosser, of Randalls Road, Leatherhead, has returned to the course for a second term and is enjoying learning how to use her laptop.

"I started to learn about computers because I was given a laptop as a gift from a friend and I decided I had to learn how to use it," she said.

"I didn't know anything about computing and it was daunting to begin with because there is quite a lot to learn and remember.

"It's very hard when you get older to learn new things but I really wanted to learn about how to send e-mails.

She said she wanted to keep up with younger people.

"Particularly my grandson who shows me what to do," she added.

During the course, the students are taught the ways of the internet by sixth form pupils from nearby Therfield and St John's schools.

Dennis Wickham, chairman of Age Concern Mole Valley North, said: "The course is great for teaching people how to e-mail, order online and lose their fear of the computer.

"It is important for them to lose the fear of computers because if you are not computer literate you are missing out on a lot nowadays because a lot of companies like to send information out by e-mail."

The silver surfers course is free to join and meets at the Bfree youth cafe, in Kingston Road, every Wednesday at 2pm during school term time.