The dotcom pioneer Martha Lane Fox launched internet centre at the Mecca Bingo club in Dagenham earlier this year and the gaming giant has now rolled the program out to other sites giving members free online access and lessons on what they can do.

"So many companies only want to talk to you online, and for a lot of people that just isn't possible. Getting people online is really about communication - seeing people Skype their family free, shop around for deals and email their friends and family is amazing," Miss Lane Fox said.

The scheme is part of Race Online 2012, Lane Fox's project to help the 9.2million adults in Britain who do not have internet access.

Four million of this group are also socially and economically disadvantaged, and all of them are missing out on the many benefits, employment opportunities and cost savings that the web can offer.

Offline households are missing out on average savings of £560 per year from shopping and paying bills online, access to hundreds of thousands of new jobs advertised online every year and the chance to increase their lifetime earnings by over £12,000.

"This was an absolutely fabulous idea, one of the keys to getting people online is to go where they are," she added.

"We are talking to bingo halls, pubs and everywhere else people go, and we're so pleased this has finally happened. People's reaction has been amazing. It's not about computers and the internet, it's about people having fun. We really want to do more of the same, this is really a first step to show this idea works, and we hope there will be a lot more in the near future."

The managing director of Mecca Bingo, Mark Jones, commented at the time the Dagenham initiative was launched, that he was hoped to roll the idea out to more centres this year.

He said: "Our bingo clubs really are at the centre of local communities so they offer a perfect environment for these types of sessions.

Since March the bingo giant has launched the scheme at a number of its clubs.

Mecca Bingo in Crewe has appointed Peter Dillon as the club’s digital champion.

Mecca’s Crewe manager Gill Clark said “Peter will be tasked with encouraging and supporting our customers to use the internet so that they can enjoy life online. Many people can be daunted by the prospect of using computers or accessing the internet and it’s Peter’s job to take that fear away and help customers’ access free local internet training courses.”

Mecca Bingo in Ellesmere Port has appointed Tony Murray as the club’s digital champion.

Gary Shanks, general manager of Mecca in Ellesmere Port, said: “Many people can be daunted by the prospect of using computers or accessing the internet and it’s the job of our digital champion to take that fear away.”

Mr Murray said: “The benefits to being online are endless, both financially and socially, and I’m looking forward to helping our customers here at Mecca Ellesmere Port to take their first steps online.”

"People can be daunted by the prospect of using computers or even accessing the internet but learning how to do this in a fun and informal setting while among friends, we think, will really strike a chord and take away that element of trepidation." Brian Scott, 70, from Romford, was among the first to take one of the lessons run by UK Online.

"It's been really terrific," he said. "The girls took me through how everything works, and I've been able to make a video Skype call to my family in New Zealand, which was wonderful. I've also been learning about the Olympics, and was able to apply for tickets online.

"I've got a laptop at home, but I've never really been sure how to use it."

Chris Walker, general manager of Mecca in Andover added: “Many people can be daunted by the prospect of using computers or accessing the Internet and it’s the job of our Digital Champion to take that fear away and help customers’ access free local Internet training courses.”

“Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres concludes: “Taking the Internet out to people in the places they live, work or play is key in getting more people online.”

Martha Lane Fox added: “We know that people’s experiences of the web are enhanced if they are introduced to the benefits in a trusted and friendly environment by a trusted and friendly face, which is why the use of digital champions is so important.

“Mecca's digital champions will be able to make real progress in helping offline people in local communities get connected and confident with the Internet."