BROADBAND is coming to Leominster earlier than expected because of "special circumstances", says BT.

The telecom giant says it accelerated the timetable for upgrading the Leominster telephone exchange, and three other exchanges in the region, after an alternative network providing broadband to some customers went bankrupt.

Leominster's Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) broadband links come into service on Wednesday, February 11 - after the town exceeded its target trigger level of 350 registrations.

BT's action has been supported and welcomed by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, business service provider Pro-Net and Leominster MP Bill Wiggin.

BT regional director Frank Mills said: "We are moving quickly to bring broadband to the maximum number of people as quickly as possible, and to ensure continuity for those people who have already enjoyed the benefits of broadband, in light of the special circumstances that have arisen.

"Local businesses will be able to use broadband in ways that improve their competitiveness, profitability and levels of customer services.

"For individuals, broadband can open up whole new areas of learning and recreation through high-speed access to the limitless range of knowledge on the internet."