USENET Newsgroup access

I use Thunderbird to access USENET Newsgroups. It configures a 'reader' using a server addy and password (provided by my ISP).

I have a young friend in the UK that I have been trying to help get connected. He has a broadband connection (provided by his father) that until I told him about Thunderbird, he didn't even know it provided e-mail service. He was using hotmail!

Anyway, for some reason, he has been unable to get a server addy and password from his ISP (toucansurf.co.uk) and has asked me if I know of another way to connect (free).

I don't. There are a number of web sites that offer fee subscriptions to Newsgroups, but I've never seen one that is free.

I've never had an ISP that didn't provide that connection either, so I am at a loss as to what I should tell him.

Can anyone help me (him) out on this?

Thanks