VILLAGERS are being encouraged to join a campaign for greater broadband internet access in rural areas.

Service provider British Telecom has set a threshold level of applications for each village before the company will consider connecting them to broadband services, which enables computers to connect to the internet up to 10 times faster than on a normal telephone line.

The campaign, backed by South Swindon MP Julia Drown, calls for more people to express an interest so the service will be opened up to rural areas.

Ms Drown said: "I want to encourage as many people as possible in Wroughton, Wanborough and Chiseldon to register with BT for broadband access so that we reach the trigger levels and as many people as possible can benefit from the broadband service."

Julia Drown can be contacted at 13 Bath Road, Old Town, Swindon. SN1 4AS or email Juliadrown @parliament.uk.