VILLAGES around Bredon Hill will join the internet broadband revolution next Tuesday as part of an innovative pilot project.

Bredon Hill will be switched on to the high-speed link as part of a £13 million investment by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands. The target is to make affordable broadband available to 100 per cent of businesses and 97 per cent of individual users across the region by the end of 2004.

Broadband is seen by Advantage West Midlands as a vital component in the economic success of the region by providing big city benefits to businesses, community organisations and families in rural areas.

Broadband provides always-on internet access up to 10 times faster than dial-up.

The villages around Bredon Hill support a thriving business community with more than 100 small companies in the area.

Penelope Blossom, of Overbury, who has tirelessly campaigned for broadband at Bredon Hill said: "It is fantastic to have broadband here. It means the businesses can continue to flourish and provide a dynamic base for the community."

Toff and Georgina Milway, owners of Conderton Pottery, expect broadband to make a significant difference to their business. The production of domestic saltglaze stoneware, including dinner services, for the quality market and sells 80 per cent of its products from the village studio and showroom.

Mrs Milway said: "We believe broadband will be very useful," echoed by Andrew Dadd, whose wife Samantha paints stunning watercolours, many of them of the Bredon Hill area, which are in great demand and have been the subject of prestigious exhibitions.

They run the business from their home in Conderton and Mr Dadd said: "Broadband will be of considerable benefit in e-mailing images of Samantha's work to potential customers"