HOUSEHOLDERS in two North-East streets are receiving some of the slowest broadband speeds in the country, according to a survey by price comparison website uSwitch.

It placed Tarr Steps, Thornaby, and Grange Terrace in Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, in a table of the 30 slowest streets for broadband in the UK.

Despite this, it said the North of England had twice as many “speedy streets” as the south when it came to download rates for using the internet.

A recent House of Lords report called for broadband to be defined as a public utility and also voiced concerns about the roll-out of so-called “superfast” fibre broadband services.

Ewan Taylor-Gibson, of uSwitch, said householders were facing a “postcode lottery”.

He said: “Terrible speeds can isolate people and take their toll on businesses, schools, even house prices.

“A nationwide rollout of fibre broadband to the furthest and most remote corners of the UK has never been more urgent.”