Major enters his own virtual world

John Major last night began life in a virtual world after opening 10, Downing Street as a World-Wide Web site on the Internet.

The Prime Minister has recorded a welcome message for downloading at the new Number 10 site, which opens with the familiar black doorway with policeman outside.

Surfers on the Internet are offered a history of the Premier's official London residence, with information on State Rooms. Recent speeches by Mr Major, biographies of recent prime ministers and the Cabinet, the Queen's Speech and notes on legislation going through Parliament, with press releases, are also available.

Mr Major marked the launch by inviting pupils from The Douai Martyrs School in Uxbridge, west London, into Downing Street for an Internet link with their classmates.

Asked who was the most remarkable person he had ever met, Mr Major said: "If I answer that I will offend a thousand people, so I'll keep that revelation for later years."

The tour finishes with the Number 10 visitors' book, and its cat, Humphrey.

Downing Street officials said Mr Major may open an e-mail address where the public could send him messages. The Internet address for Number 10 is: http://www.number10.gov.uk/.