London: More than nine million adults in Britain have never used the internet, says a survey.

The elderly, widowed and people in lower economic strata were less likely to be net savvy, says the the survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

A ‘digital divide’ in the country is being feared if millions more are not enticed into going online, reports the Daily Mail.

The new ONS report claims a generation gap in technology still exists with only one percent of 16 to 24-year-olds having never used the net, compared to 60 percent of those over 65.

Today more than 38 million adults in Britain are online - with 30 million accessing the net daily.

Mark Williams from the ONS said: "Since 2006 we have seen a significant increase in the number of people using the internet, with the number of adults accessing the internet ever day almost doubling to just over 30 million, though the UK is some way off from being completely online."

Michelle Mitchell, the charity director at Age UK, added: "While many older people are embracing the benefits of getting online such as keeping up with friends and family more easily and making savings online, many people in later life are still missing out."

BDST: 1250 HRS, August 29, 2010