HIGH-ALTITUDE airships could provide high-speed Internet connections in rural areas, after a study by Yorkshire scientists.

Early trials of the revolutionary system being pioneered by Yorkshire scientists have proved a success.

York University is leading a European research group which is developing the system, which makes modern broadband connections look slow.

They are testing the feasibility of using high-altitude aerial platforms - airships or solar-powered aircraft - to bring broadband Internet access to remote rural areas and fast-moving trains.

The technology will provide broadband services which are 200 times faster than current services.

Researchers ran the trials, using a tethered balloon at a former RAF airfield at Pershore, Wiltshire, to show that it is possible to use their systems from aerial platforms.

The European project, known as Capanina, aims to deliver wireless broadband from aerial platforms so that people in rural and suburban areas - and users on the move - can have cost-effective broadband communications.

The ultimate aim is to have a number of the platforms in the stratosphere at altitudes of around 20km.

Althought the project is in its early stages, information, including video clips of how the scheme would work, can be found at www.capanina. org