A HI-TECH video link-up enabled overjoyed 83-year-old Barbara Mosedale to see her son in Spain from her care home in Sandbach.

Mrs Mosedale, a resident of Turnpike Court care home, was upset when Alan moved his family abroad and contact between the pair was limited to the occasional phone call.

That all changed when CLS, the charitable care services group that runs the home, installed equipment to allow them to communicate via the Internet.

Home manager Sue Houghton said: 'Barbara's face was an absolute picture when Alan appeared on the screen. Now she can speak to and see her son whenever she wants. Alan either goes to an Internet café, or his neighbour's house.'

Turnpike Court is the first CLS home to have the facility. The company aims to introduce the technology to all 44 of its care homes in the near future, eventually allowing every resident to have similar opportunities.

The technology installed includes broadband Internet connection, video-links and personal e-mails for all residents in the care home.

As their Internet is wire-less, the system can be moved around Turnpike Court on a trolley.

CLS Care Services Group was established in 1991 to provide high-quality professional care for older people who can no longer cope on their own. All profits are ploughed back into improving care.