Residents of a County Durham town are being offered free sim cards by a phone company in a bid to help lower-income people get connected to the internet.

Virgin Media O2 has announced that its Bishop Auckland O2 store will be transformed into a National Databank Hub, providing free mobile data, texts, and calls to those in need.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to help people experiencing poverty stay connected to essential services and loved ones.

Eligible individuals can receive a free O2 sim card with 25GB of monthly data for 12 months, which equates to around 275 hours of internet browsing per month.

This will enable people facing data poverty to access essential websites, manage everyday tasks such as booking medical appointments and applying for work, and keep in touch with their loved ones.

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Nicola Green from Virgin Media O2 said: "By opening new National Databank Hubs in O2 stores across the North East, we’re helping people affected by data poverty to stay in touch with their loved ones, access critical services, and be part of the digital world this Christmas and beyond.

"Virgin Media O2 is proud to be leading the way in tackling data and digital poverty across the region, where we’re building a fairer digital future for everyone."

The initiative is part of Virgin Media O2's commitment to connect one million digitally excluded people through free and affordable connectivity and services by the end of 2025.

This includes the Community Calling programme with digital inclusion charity Hubbub, which has rehomed more than 20,000 smartphones with those who need them, and broadband and mobile social tariffs for people who receive government support payments.

To be eligible for free data from the National Databank, a recipient must be 18 years or older, belong to a low-income household, and have no or insufficient access to the internet at home or when away from home, or be unable to afford their existing monthly contract or top-up.

The Bishop Auckland O2 store is one of two new National Databank Hubs in the North East, with the other located in Washington's The Galleries.