A BUSINESSMAN is campaigning to have villages surrounding Durham connected to the latest technology.

Graham Nevard is calling on businesses and anyone else who wants access to broadband technology to make their feelings known and so encourage service providers to consider connecting their community.

Broadband technology allows data to be received much faster, allowing quicker internet access and complex graphics and pictures to be viewed.

BT turns normal phone lines into broadband lines where it knows there will be a demand, such as in Durham City and Newcastle.

But BT bosses say they will bring it to areas such as Langley Moor, Meadowfield, Brandon and Brancepeth only when 300 people or more have registered interest. Mr Nevard runs Harrison Computers, in Langley Moor, and said without broadband technology, local businesses could find themselves losing out. He has sent leaflets to local businesses and is urging people to sign a form in his shop.

He said: "In the last couple of months about 160 people have expressed an interest. I think it would damage some businesses if we don't get it.

"All our suppliers have their catalogues online, so if we want to quote a customer a price then we have to go on the Internet. But if they get fed up with hanging on the phone they might go to a computer shop that does have broadband."

A spokesman for BT said it costs about £250,000 to upgrade a telephone exchange and to justify the expense they need 300 people to be interested.

At the moment, the average take-up level where broadband technology had been installed in the North-East is about 2.5 per cent. But the figure is much higher where communities have campaigned for it.

BT spokesman Paul Dorrell said: "If Mr Nevard has started his own campaign, we are more than happy to support it in order to help him hit his target. He can get information on broadband campaigns on the website and we will be quite happy to provide him with posters and campaign fliers."

Nine rural communities in other parts of the North-East, such as Weardale and Wear Valley, are to receive broadband technology by Onyx Internet and development agency One NorthEast, in order to help regeneration.

Anyone wishing to register their interest can visit www.BT.com/broadband, or contact Mr Nevard on 0191-378 2618.