The Internet needs to be faster, cheaper and more relevant to the needs of businesses in the region, a survey has discovered.

A thousand firms were interviewed for regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and their responses show that the main concern of those using the web is speed of access (31 per cent of respondents), particularly among smaller firms.

Just over a third of regional businesses still do not have Internet access with the main reason holding them back that they do not think cyber-space is relevant to their needs.

Cost was another major barrier and was mentioned by one in every ten companies which are not connected.

Asked what could be done to help firms make best use of the Internet, 64 per cent of business people said that the most useful measure would be to decrease the cost of access.

The study was commissioned as part of Yorkshire Forward's work in encouraging businesses to make better use of the Internet.

It was announced at the launch of the E-Region Forum - a partnership of private, public and voluntary sector bodies aimed at driving forward the region's Internet agenda - yesterday.

Among the projects being promoted through the E-Region Forum, launched at Sheffield's Millennium Galleries, are the European Computer Driving Licence, an internationally recognised qualification in core information technology skills and a test of practical skills designed around day-to-day computer tasks.