First Devon and Somerset homes offered superfast broadband

The programme will deliver download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps

Homes and businesses in two villages have become the first to benefit from a £94m broadband project.

Superfast broadband will be on offer to 700 premises in Sticklepath, Devon, and 500 in Bradford on Tone, Somerset, once the roll-out is complete.

For now, just the first few homes and business have been connected.

The Connecting Devon and Somerset programme is the largest project of its kind in England, using £32m of government funding.

Money has also been provided by both county's councils as well as £41m from BT and other public sector partners.

The average download speed in Somerset is 8Mbps and 9.2Mbps in Devon, according to regulator Ofcom.

It is said the new fibre optic technology will deliver download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps.

Other areas to benefit will be Bishops Lydeard, Creech St Michael and Monkton Heathfield in Somerset as well as Moretonhampstead and Holsworthy in Devon.

It is expected that connection in these areas will become available before the end of the year.