A BUSINESSMAN'S efforts to bring the broadband Internet service to a County Durham town have won him a national award.

Colin Devonport campaigned tirelessly to bring the Internet facility to Shildon through his company, Shildon Net.

His move was supported by British Telecom, which published and distributed leaflets and posters and gave Shildon Net an Xbox games machine to give to a resident who registered for broadband via the Shildon Net website.

Mr Devonport said that he launched the campaign because he recognised the need for the facility if businesses and industry were to flourish.

He said: "It was purely voluntary and Shildon Net received no funding from any body in maintaining the campaign.''

Its success led to broadband being launched in the town on September 10.

Mr Devonport said: "It has been a long time coming but at least we have now caught up with surrounding areas like Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland and Darlington.

"Hopefully, this will help not only industry but the people of Shildon and, more importantly, the schoolchildren and students who have more to gain from the educational opportunities the web makes available.''

Mr Devonport was shortlisted for the broadband Britain Challenge Finals and received a plaque after finishing as runner-up in the Local Campaigner section.

The winner of the award was Pete Berry, for his campaign in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Mr Devonport's stepson, Dan Makeveli, attended the recent ceremony to collect the award.

The 44-year-old said he was happy to receive the award but he felt that the real prize was getting broadband in Shildon.

He said: "To be honest it was nice, but getting broadband for the town was more important to me."