THE village of Broadway received a couple of early Christmas presents, a visit from Father Christmas and enhanced broadband.

The Superfast Worcestershire partnership – led by Worcestershire County Council and BT – brought some seasonal cheer when it made faster fibre broadband available to around 50 additional local homes and businesses in the Cotswold community.

Father Christmas, Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston and carol singing youngsters joined representatives from the broadband partnership to mark the arrival of faster fibre broadband in the Smallbrook Road area of Broadway. Pupils from Broadway First School led carol singing around the new fibre broadband cabinet in Leamington Road, which is the 400th to go "live" as part of Superfast Worcestershire.

Mr Huddleston said: "Superfast broadband has been delivered to this part of Broadway in time for Christmas not by Santa’s sleigh but by Superfast Worcestershire. This is a great Christmas present for local residents.”

Cllr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, added: "This is excellent news, just in time for Christmas, for more residents and businesses in Broadway who will now be able to make the most of the many benefits of faster fibre broadband.

"Having a fast and reliable connection improves the quality of life of our residents and enables local companies to compete on a level playing field."

Upgrades do not happen automatically. People wanting to benefit from fibre broadband need to order it from their chosen communications provider. Because the network is being installed by Openreach – BT’s local network business – households and businesses can choose from a wide range of fibre broadband companies. Anyone wanting more information about the Superfast Worcestershire roll-out can log onto: www.superfastworcestershire.com

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