BROADBAND coverage in east Cleveland is "an embarrassment and an obstacle to growth", said a Conservative MP as he called on Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to tackle the problem.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke MP met the Conservative Mayor for talks about the problem this week at the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

He said 'significant parts' of his constituency were struggling to achieve the minimum standard mandated by new guidelines for broadband speed, the Universal Service Obligation, which is being brought into effect by Government.

Mr Clarke said: "Good broadband access is a key utility for homes and businesses and yet in parts of east Cleveland you still struggle to get online.

"I've had residents coming to my surgeries in despair about the quality of service they receive and yet in parts of east Cleveland you still struggle to get online.

"I've had residents coming to my surgeries in despair about the quality of service they receive and it’s increasingly an embarrassment and an obstacle to growth.

“Delivering high speed broadband to more rural areas is a challenge but one we have to embrace if we’re to allow East Cleveland to fulfil its potential.

"It was great to sit down with Ben to talk him through some of the worst affected areas and I really hope this is something he will tackle.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Achieving maximum connectivity is a priority for the Combined Authority and as Mayor I’m determined to use the powers and funding available to me to help as many local people as I can.

"I’m grateful to Simon for highlighting just how bad the situation is in areas of his constituency and will instruct my officials to get on the case.”

Residents have been complaining about the broadband speeds in the area for years, saying that speeds sometimes were slower than the dial-up modems used during the dawn of internet use.

The problem is so bad, particularly at busy times, that some places only have fast enough speeds for receiving basic emails, taking hours to download files.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said last year it was working to ensure that 97 per cent of its area would have access to faster broadband by the end of 2019.

And one of Mr Clarke's election pledges was to tackle poor internet quality to Coulby Newham, as well as "ending the culture of neglect" which has led to insufficient broadband connections, and transport links, in towns like Loftus.