A CAMPAIGN has started to enable faster and more efficient Internet connections in Sedgefield village.

Borough and town councillor John Robinson is so concerned at the disadvantages suffered by village businesses who are unable to get broadband Internet access that he has started a campaign aimed at getting the service into the village by autumn.

Coun Robinson has been approached by several residents asking why Sedgefield cannot have broadband and at a recent business forum a number of village businesses said it was affecting their trade.

The councillor said: "I have spoken to BT on the subject and they explain that we need 350 people to express an interest with them and then they will start to bring it into the Sedgefield exchange. Up to last week 220 had shown interest."

The broadband system enables more information to be downloaded more quickly.

BT are keen to encourage and support campaigns, but said each town or village has a "trigger" number of people who need to register before the service can be considered.

Spokesman Paul Dorrell confirmed that Sedgefield needs 350 people to register their support.

He said: "If they need any assistance with their campaign we would be minded to support them because it is in everybody's interest to get broadband enabled in as many exchanges as we can."

Sedgefield Town Council is backing the campaign and members are urging people to express an interest by contacting BT on the Internet at www.bt.com/broadband.