A LEADING North-East business figure has welcomed BT’s decision to extend the roll-out of superfast broadband across the region.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, which represents 4,000 of the region’s firms, welcomed the announcement, that includes 18 areas of the North-East among 156 in the UK.

They are expected to receive access by the end of next year, following the system’s success in areas including Newton Aycliffe, Chester-le- Street and Durham City.

The benefit to business of super-fast broadband is the ability to send and receive large amounts of data much faster than conventional systems.

The £2.5bn investment nationally by BT means more than 300,000 homes and businesses in the North East will have access.

Of the North-East areas included in the scheme, Coxhoe, Crook, Meadowfield, New Brancepath and Seaham in County Durham, as well as Eaglescliffe, Guisborough, Hartlepool, Linthorpe Hartburn and Marton in the Tees Valley should have access by the end of this year.

Gateshead, along with Ferryhill and Spennymoor in County Durham will receive access in the following year.

Mr Ramsbotham urged the public sector “to match private sector investment to ensure all parts of the region, particularly those in rural locations, can benefit from superfast fibre broadband as the UK roll-out progresses”.