Leominster and Ledbury have raced ahead of the pack in a bid to join the information technology superhighway.

Leominster, and some of its surrounding area, has been chosen for a regional development agency pilot project to provide broadband internet access in a rural zone.

Ledbury has been unable to gain broadband via BT but another service provider, Loop Scorpio, has come to the rescue.

Existing telephone lines will be transformed into high-speed digital lines.

After some technological tweaking of equipment at home and in the office users will be able to surf the 'always on' internet without dialling.

Access to websites will be up to 10 times faster. A family with just a single telephone line will be able to make calls and use the internet at the same time.

Leominster's prize is being delivered by the powerful regional development agency Advantage West Midlands following lobbying by MP Bill Wiggin.

James Saunby of AWM said Bridgnorth had originally been picked for the broadband pilot project but it fell foul of a change in 'trigger levels' - figures showing demand.

Mr Saunby said Leominster was identified as the most appropriate location to replace Bridgnorth. The move has been agreed with Herefordshire in Touch, a county programme aimed at securing broadband.

He added: "The Advantage ICT team will be working with Hereford in Touch to deliver broadband to Leominster as quickly as possible.

"Technical limitations mean there will be some areas outside of the centre of Leominster which will not be able to receive broadband as a result of this initiative.

"We are working with a number of suppliers to determine appropriate solutions to fill these gaps - including satellite options."

Bill Wiggin said he was delighted with the news. "I have been fighting hard for broadband to be introduced to Leominster, and I am glad that my efforts have paid off.

Vital importance

"Broadband is something of vital importance which has the potential for benefiting us all, and I can only say how happy I am that Leominster is to be placed at the cutting edge of modern technology."

The MP said he was pleased that another part of his constituency was gaining broadband access. Loop Scorpio would bring broadband to Ledbury this month.

"I have met with Loop Scorpio and been supportive of their endeavours to provide solutions to the problems of accessing broadband for those excluded by BT," said Mr Wiggin.

"Ledbury has been chosen as the first location for their broadband service and I am attending the official launch of the service on Saturday."