TWO computer users are aiming to persuade a national telecommunications company to upgrade the telephone exchange in Thirsk so it will be able to connect to broadband internet.

Tarek Ghouri and Kevin Dunn are fed up of seeing advertising for a service they cannot access are rallying support for a campaign to convince British Telecom to install the facility.

Mr Dunn said: "Residents may have seen the adverts for BT broadband with animated characters coming out a large pipe in the ground - the problem is no one in Thirsk can buy that service because our exchange has not been upgraded by BT."

The campaigners will need the active support of at least 400 residents and businesses in the area before BT will consider their request for the upgrade.

Mr Ghouri saidd: "The majority of urban areas have been upgraded because that is where BT can reap most business from initially, but rural communities such as Thirsk are not even being considered without a certain level of interest being achieved."

To date little more than 100 residents have registered their interest, but the campaigners believe that the community can come together and prove to BT that they are worthy of the latest technology.

Broadband makes existing telephone lines capable of internet connection speeds that are at least ten times faster than existing modems.

The new service revolutionises the way businesses can use the internet - and this has wide-ranging implications for the development of rural businesses which may find it harder than urban firms to reach their potential clients.

Mr Ghouri said: "BT have set a trigger level whereby hundreds of residents will have to register interest in broadband before they will upgrade our exchange.

"Despite this BT still bombard our TV screens with adverts telling us how good it is.

"We need as many people as possible in Thirsk to register their interest. This is by no means a commitment to buy anything - it is purely a statement of interest."

For more information about broadband and the Thirsk campaign visit www.thirskbroadband.co.uk where you can also register your interest.