PEOPLE across County Durham are being urged to show their support for the roll-out of high-speed broadband.

Durham County Council has been promised almost £7m by the Government to provide broadband across the county and a superfast provision to as many homes and businesses as possible.

However, as part of the conditions of securing the money for its Digital Durham programme, the council must prove that there is a demand for the service.

Officers are asking as many people as possible to take part in a short survey.

Don McLure, Durham County Council’s corporate director for resources, said: “Around 60 per cent of County Durham will not have access to superfast broadband if the council does not step in.

“Private companies are not inclined to invest in these areas because of the length of time it would take them to make a financial return.

“The Government grant, along with match funding we have managed to set aside, will enable us to target those areas.

“The responses we receive to the survey will help us understand the demand for superfast broadband and assist us in formulating our plans for the future.”

The survey is available by searching Digital Durham at durham.gov.uk until Saturday, June 30 Those without the internet can call 0300-0261160 or by emailing digital.durham@durham.gov.uk