SUPERFAST Cornwall, the pioneering partnership between the EU, BT and Cornwall Council, announced that a quarter of all Cornish homes and businesses now have access to the high-speed technology, and is now available in more parts of Bude and Launceston — including Poughill and the Breakwater Road area of Bude and Newport Square in Launceston.

About 66,000 Cornish premises can now get the service with the technology operating in 35 of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's 100 telephone exchange areas.

Landlady at The White Horse Inn, Launceston Lucy Collins is thrilled that superfast broadband has arrived in Newport Square. Lucy said: "The White Horse Inn currently offers free Wi-Fi internet access for all customers, but the provision of a faster internet connection has been even more important for business customers visiting the Newport area.

"We use the internet everyday. From banking to ordering, even our laundry returns are filed online! We're having a brand new website and are on Facebook and Twitter, so getting the message online quickly is really important. We also get enquiries for accommodation from Europe by email and it makes contact so much easier and cheaper!

"Since we added our dedicated meeting and training room, and teamed up with local networking group 'PURE networking', we have had an amazing increase in the need for broadband access. We are extremely lucky that we can now access some of the fastest broadband available in Launceston."

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please pick up this week's edition of the 'Post'.