Gordon Burns, the face of North West Tonight

Gordon Burns may be used to reading bulletins and grilling politicians but he faced an altogether different challenge at the Harris museum.

He was promoting the BBC’s First Click campaign, which aims to help more people become computer savvy.

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Estimates suggest there are more than 9 million people in Britain who do not use the internet.

Mr Burns, the face of North West Tonight, thinks anyone could improve their life by making the most of technology.

“You get left behind if you can’t get online nowadays, so I’m here to urge people to learn about it.”

He says the elderly especially should embrace the internet and its benefits to make their lives easier.

“The older you get, the more fears you have about technology. It’s really about getting over that fear.”

The organisation is running the scheme to help bridge the ‘digital divide’ which still exists between the generations.

Research released last year suggested two-thirds of those who weren’t online had no interest in the using the internet.

Terri Sweeney, the BBC’s North West Learning Project Manager, says people should make extra efforts to learn for their own good.

“If they don’t use it, then they can’t pay bills online, do their shopping or other important things,” she said.

“Others may be even be housebound. There are so many ways people over fifty could benefit from it.”