Pensioner, 82, is short-listed in internet champion contest

A web surfing pensioner is in line to be crowned an internet champion.

Computer-whiz Brenda O'Mulloy has fought off stiff competition to be short listed in the search to find the Age UK Internet Champion for 2012.

The 82-year-old from Farnham Common impressed judges with her desire to encourage others to get online, her skills on Skype and Facebook and her use of the internet to search for the best deals on flights, theatre tickets and home utilities.

She said: "The first thing I do when I get up each morning is turn off my alarm and switch on my computer!

"When my husband died my son bought me a laptop so that I could stay connected with my family."

The champion will act as a leading light to the 5.7 million people over 65 who have never used the internet and are missing out on the benefits it can offer.

This is the third year of the Age UK Internet Champion of the Year search, which sees people over 55 nominate themselves to become a Champion for 12 months. If successful in making it though to the final four, Brenda will join three other finalists from across the UK at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Royal Society in London on  January 30 to find out if they will become the Age UK Internet Champion for 2012.