A HIGH-speed Internet connection is coming to a North-East town after hundreds of people demanded the service.

BT is to install a broadband system in Stanley, County Durham, supplying a potential 12,700 users.

The system uses existing phone lines, but operates at ten times the speed of standard Internet connections.

Nearly 500 residents contacted BT to ask for the service - the communications firm will not install a broadband exchange until at least 400 people in a given area have registered an interest.

BT regional director Ray Smith said: "BT is committed to bringing the benefits of broadband to more and more customers and communities in the North-East.

"But we need to know that there is sufficient demand before BT Wholesale can make the necessary big investment in upgrading local exchanges.

"Customer registrations logged by the broadband service providers against Stanley exchange have topped the 400 target, providing BT with the confidence that our investment is being made where the local communities will really benefit."

The system is expected to go live on March 28.