Fed up with telecoms firms not offering broadband, villagers in Lanchashire are digging a 40-mile trench and laying down their own fibre optic able. The process is being managed by Broadband 4 the Rural North, a not-for- profit company, which is hoping to raise £1.8m to connect eight villages in the Forest of Bowland.

It will do this by selling shares to locals, and by charging a £150 connection fee and a £30/month service charge. The project has raised £300,000 so far - enough to begin the first phase, which will connect 400 homes "It's going to be a bit like leaving the Dark Ages, "said resident Elaine Drinkall.

Orignally printed in the week