Rural Essex now has some of the fastest broadband in the UK

Hyperfast broadband being put in rural north Essex. Credit: ITV Anglia

People living in rural north Essex now have some of the fastest broadband in Britain thanks to work installed during lockdown.

Eight Ash Green, Aldham and Dale Close in Stanway near Colchester have speeds 18 times faster than the UK average. Local company County Broadband has provided the gigabit- capable nertwork which puts the area in the UK's top 10% for digital connectivity.

The government has pledged that the entire UK should have access to gigabit capable speeds by 2025 to catch up with the rest of the world. County Broadband is also putting in hyperfast broadband in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

Residents and businesses can visit www.countybroadband.co.uk and enter their postcode to see if the network is available in their area.