FREE public access Wi-Fi has been switched-on in Northallerton and Leyburn in a bid to support Covid recovery and growth for businesses.

North Yorkshire County Council will roll-out the scheme in 16 market towns across the county.

Town centre public Wi-Fi is seen as an opportunity to draw people back to local town centres as a destination as more people continue to work from home.

It also aims to promote local shops and services and create a different town centre experience.

As part of the roll-out, the County Council is enabling access to Eduroam which allows anybody in research or education to access resources on the go.

A £3m investment was awarded by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership as part of its allocation from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: “I welcome this start to our free public Wi-Fi project, which will help our residents to access information, our visitors to find out more about the local area, and businesses to promote their goods and services.

"This further addition to the county's digital infrastructure will support town centre high street businesses as they compete against online retailers.

"We have invested up until now around £100m in digital connectivity, especially in rural areas, and we will continue that programme in the years ahead."