INTERNET users in Highworth will soon have the option to switch to broadband after the town reached its trigger level set by BT two weeks ago.

Trigger levels are set by service providers such as BT in order to be sure that there is enough interest in high speed internet access.

The town's exchange will be ready to provide broadband on August 13 after 350 people showed an interest to BT.

Already around 320 people have shown an interest in broadband in the Stratton St Margaret area of Swindon. The full trigger level of 350 for the area is expected to be met by mid-June.

Just over 300 people have applied for broadband in Wootton Bassett out of a trigger level of 350. The level is expected to be met by early July.

Trigger levels have also been set for Wroughton and Cricklade. So far there have been around 140 registrations for BT broadband in Wroughton out of a trigger level of 350.

As a result, broadband is not expected to be introduced there until April 2004. In Cricklade, there have been more than 180 registrations out of the required total of 450.

There is also much interest in broadband in the villages of Chisel-don, Purton, Fairford, Kempsford and Wanborough but no trigger levels have been set as yet.