NEARLY all of North Yorkshire should have the ability to have a broadband internet connection by the end of July next year, BT pledged yesterday.

Fifty-four further exchanges are to be broadband enabled in the latest stage of the ongoing investment that has already seen more than £1bn spent on the UK broadband network.

More than 80 per cent of homes and businesses in North Yorkshire are already connected to a broadband-enabled BT exchange and the company says the latest stage of its programme will take the figure to 99 per cent.

The 54 exchanges to be upgraded supply more than 41,000 households between them.

BT will begin work on enabling the exchanges in October.

BT regional manager Trevor Higgins said: "Today's news provides clarity for communities across North Yorkshire.

"People have been keen to know when they will have access to broadband and this news from BT will allow them to plan ahead with confidence,

"Now that we will have virtually universal broadband availability in North Yorkshire, the focus must inevitably turn to driving take-up - to ensure that many more businesses exploit broadband's speed and its cost-effectiveness.

"This is vital if they are to remain competitive in the national and global marketplace."

The 19 smallest exchanges in the county will not be included in the upgrade programme at this stage. These exchanges did not have enough people registering an interest to trigger a connection under the previous registration scheme.

The exchanges to be upgraded are: Ampleforth, Appleton Roebuck, Barkston Ash, Barton, Bishop Monkton, Bolton Abbey, Burn, Burythorpe, Camblesforth, Clapham, Coneysthorpe, Coxwold, Darley, Dunnington, East Harlsey, East Layton, Flaxton Moor, Grass- ington, Gunnerside, Hellifield, Helmsley, Helperby, Hemingbrough, Hinderwell, Hovingham, Huby, Hunmanby, Hutton Sessay, Ingleton, Kirby Misperton, Kirkby Malzeard, Lastingham, Long Preston, Melmerby, North Cowton, Osmotherley, Pateley Bridge, Reeth, Riccall, Rillington, Robin Hood's Bay, Rufforth, Sandsend, Sheriff Hutton, Sinderby, Sleights, Snainton, Spofforth, Stamford Bridge, Sutton, Well, West Lutton, Whitley Bridge and Whitwell-on-the-Hill.

The full timetable can be accessed at www.bt.com/broadband