ALL businesses and homes in Herefordshire and Worcestershire will have access to broadband internet by 2007, thanks to a £5m project announced today.

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands vowed to make sure everyone will be able to benefit from the faster service in the next three years.

Although 93.1 per cent of Worcestershire is linked up, only 63.4 per cent of Herefordshire currently has access.

Those without are mainly isolated rural communities that have, until now, faced an uncertain future.

But the new project will see the most hard-to-reach parts of the two counties finally reap the rewards of the internet revolution.

The following isolated Herefordshire communities will be switched on through the scheme: How Caple, Ivington, Longtown Castle, Michaelchurch and Pencombe.

In Worcestershire, Cotheridge will be brought on line.

And even the most isolated businesses located well away from the network will be able to gain access through a Remote Area Broadband Inclusion Trial (RABBIT) which is also included in the project.

The delivery of the project will be through the West Midlands Networking Company.

"Broadband is now just as important a facility to business as telephones, water and electricity but there are still some areas missing out," said Richard Hutchins, corporate director for sustainable and rural development at Advantage West Midlands.

"If companies in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are to compete in a global market-place, having access to high-speed broadband is not just important, it is absolutely essential.

"Although Advantage West Midlands has had a lot of success over the last 18 months by working with partners to roll broadband out across the region, some parts of Herefordshire and Worcestershire could have been waiting many more years before getting access.

"This project will plug the gaps and enable the entire area to enjoy the benefits broadband access brings."