An appeal to help local children who need laptops to help them study has been relaunched.

The scheme, run by Essex County Council (ECC) is appealing again for donations of old laptops for schoolchildren both living in the district and in the wider county area.

Since December 2020, the scheme has distributed 5,000 laptops, tablets and Chrome Books to schools and colleges to pupils and students who don't have adequate access to devices at home.

A spokesperson for ECC said: "During lockdown, when schools and colleges were closed, the Closing the Digital Divide Scheme helped thousands of children and young people to join online lessons and continue learning.

"Now schools are back, more devices are needed for children who need to self-isolate suddenly or for homework or home-schooling. Access to online learning is also important for children in social care, with mental health issues or who cannot attend school for medical reasons."

Anyone with an old or unused laptop can drop it off at their local library during opening hours. You can find the current opening times of Maldon Library by using the link here, Wickham Bishops Library by using the link here, Burnham-on Crouch Library by using the link here, Southminster Library by using the link here and South Woodham Ferrers Library by using the link here.

Laptops of any age, make or condition can be accepted, but not other devices. All laptops received will be thoroughly cleaned inside and out with all data and programmes removed securely. No data on the device will be accessed during this process.

Any that can't be re-used will be sold for parts and the income used to buy new devices.

Businesses upgrading their IT systems can also donate. Interested business owners or residents who feel there is an opportunity to engage with their employer and would like to know how the scheme can work with businesses, can email: [email protected]