HOMES and businesses in parts of Notts will benefit from improved broadband access.

Notts County Council is to spend £4.25m on better access for rural parts of Rushcliffe, Newark and Sherwood, and Bassetlaw.

The authority hopes more money will be forthcoming to further improve internet access throughout the county.

Councillor Keith Girling, the council's deputy cabinet member for culture and community, said: "We see this funding as a positive starting point, but we will be putting forward a case for extra money to match our ambition of an effective broadband network for the whole of the county."

The cash has been given to the council as part of the Government's £530 million Broadband Delivery UK programme.

It will be spent on preparatory works needed to connect rural and poorly-connected areas to a broadband service.

It is hoped that this will encourage network operators and internet service providers to invest in improvements.

The allocation for Notts is based on the fact that around 118,000 – or 23.7 per cent – of properties in the county have limited or no broadband access. A consultation by the county council revealed that businesses felt that lack of a good broadband service limited their ability to operate and made disabled people felt more isolated.

The consultation received more than 2,000 comments and also found that community groups were concerned that younger generations may move away from rural areas.

Parents were also worried that their children may be missing out on online education opportunities.

Mr Girling added: "The feedback illustrates that many people across the county are in real need of an improved broadband service to prevent social isolation, increase business opportunities, allow people to work from home and harness online educational opportunities."

The Countryside Alliance welcomed the investment into rural parts of Notts, but has warned some homes and businesses could still be left out.

This is in comparison to other countries, such as Denmark, where 99 per cent of homes have broadband coverage.

Alliance head of policy Sarah Lee said: "If rural areas are to compete economically and socially then it is vital that rural communities and businesses have access to effective and affordable broadband.

"Without this, there is a danger that the digital divide will grow even wider and rural economies will be unable to grow and prosper."

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: "I urge all those suffering the frustration of slow internet connections to make it clear to your local elected representatives that you expect them to do what is needed to access this investment and to deliver broadband to your community."