A BUSINESSMAN'S efforts to bring Broadband to Shildon have netted him runner-up spot in a national competition.

Colin Devonport campaigned for the Internet facility to be brought to the town through his company Shildon Net. His move was supported by British Telecom, which published and distributed leaflets and posters and gave Shildon Net an XBOX games machine to give to a resident who registered for Broadband via the Shildon Net website.

Mr Devonport said that he launched the campaign because he recognised the need for the facility if businesses and industry were to flourish in the town.

He said: "It was purely voluntary and Shildon Net received no funding from anybody in maintaining the campaign.''

Its success led to Broadband being launched in the town on September 10.

Mr Devonport said: "Hopefully this will help not only industry but the people of Shildon and more importantly the schoolchildren and students who have more to gain from the educational opportunities the web makes available.''

Mr Devonport was shortlisted for the Broadband Britain Challenge finals and received a plaque after finishing as runner-up in the Local Campaigner section.