BT has announced that even more businesses in Worcestershire will be able to obtain high speed internet access.

The telecommunications giant has said it will upgrade five telephone exchanges in the county to deliver Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) services.

This is the next stage in the development of broadband and means businesses and consumers who use the technology will be able to send as well as receive information at higher speeds, which is of particular benefit to those businesses that need to move large files in both directions.

"Broadband is the foundation on which the UK is building a truly digital networked economy," said Frank Mills, BT West Midland's regional director.

"This new service will be of particular benefit to the growing numbers of smaller businesses, remote offices and teleworkers, who need to send and receive large files or data."

The upgrade will boost the number of SDSL exchanges in Herefordshire and Worcestershire from three to eight.

The exchanges to be upgraded, and when, are:

Bromsgrove - Sunday April 24

Malvern - Sunday May 22

Redditch Old Town - Sunday May 29

Evesham - Sunday July 17

Droitwich - Sunday August 21