A RURAL community which created its own internet network has received funding for IT education and social care.

The Twyford and Ridgehill community to the south of Hereford was last in line to benefit from a council scheme called Fastershire to bring a faster internet connection to their rural villages.

Fed up of waiting and with incredibly slow internet speeds, they decided to set up their own network which they called Ridgehill Residents Community Network (RRCN).

And in September the network went live.

West Midlands Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre officially launched the network at the end of last month at a lunch at Callow Village Hall.

During the lunch Mrs McIntyre's husband and chairman of the Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF), Frank Myers, announced that HCF had approved the network's funding application for money to be able to take the broadband platform and use it for IT education and social care in the valley.

This will include free IT workshops such as Beat the scammers, bring your own device day and clueless wireless.

The money will also help create clubs and events that will help the community's vulnerable and elderly.

It is hoped the money will contribute towards a community co-ordinator who can be the first point of contact for anyone in the villages who needs help.

Chairwoman of RRCN Caroline Rixon said: "Not just brilliant broadband but the chance to take the community spirit that has come out of this project and move it forward into something more permanent that gets us all together. It’s wonderful news."