HOPES are high that parts of the rural Dales could benefit from better mobile phone coverage and superfast broadband - thanks to a Government-funded mast being opened up to commercial providers.

The new emergency telecommunications mast is being built in Arkengarthdale and the parish council asked Richmondshire MP Rishi Sunak whether it could be used to improve coverage for nearby residents and businesses.

Mr Sunak has now raised the matter with ministers and in the House of Commons.

He said it would make a huge difference if phone companies were able to "piggy-back" on the new Emergency Services Network of masts being built for the police, fire and ambulance service.

In response police and fire service minster Nick Hurd has confirmed that the Arkengarthdale mast is one of 300 being built in Britain's most isolated rural areas and they will be made available to commercial mobile network operators to use.

And Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, said under an agreement with EE, which is building the masts, there would be opportunities to share the masts with other operators to supply mobile phone signals and 4G broadband coverage.

Mr Sunak said: "This is potentially very good news for those parts of my constituency currently suffering from poor or non-existent phone signals.

"Also there are parts of the constituency that will not be able to benefit from the current rollout of superfast broadband who need 4G.

"The network of new masts for the emergency services covers both Swaledale and Wensleydale and I shall be doing all I can to encourage the big networks to seize this golden opportunity to offer their rural customers the service they deserve."