MORE than 3,300 homes and businesses in a former pit village are being promised high-speed fibre broadband.

People in Sacriston can now get speeds of up to 80Mbps and a further 1,300 Sacriston premises will benefit shortly.

The upgrade is part of the multi-million pound Digital Durham programme funded by BT, councils and the Government.

It was officially launched at the village’s Fulforth Community Centre with pupils of St Bede’s RC Primary School who will share their computer skills with people of all ages.

Head Louise Keenan said: “Without fast connectivity and speeds at home there is the risk that children will miss out on what is now an essential learning tool, so having fibre in the village is great news.

“High-speed internet will bring this knowledge into the classroom faster than ever before.”

North Durham MP Kevan Jones said: “It’s great that Sacriston and many other parts of my constituency are now befitting from the Digital Durham fibre roll-out – and it’s wonderful to have some of the local school children here to help celebrate today’s technological milestone.

“Fibre broadband will be a big plus for homework as well as all the other things families like to do online.

“More than that, it’s an investment in the future – for these children, local businesses and the long-term economic prosperity of the whole community.”

Cllr Jane Brown, Durham County Council cabinet member for corporate Services, said: “As a council we are committed to making sure children have access to the best educational tools possible and the arrival of superfast broadband in Sacriston is sure to prove a real boost for local pupils. “

St Bede pupils and Fulforth Centre staff will develop a digital inclusion project to help local people of all ages to brush up on their online skills or master a new one.

Gemma O’Brien, project development worker at the centre, said: “The Fulforth Centre is a really important hub in Sacriston.

“Developing a project which enables children to share their knowledge with their friends, family and other members of the community will be a fantastic opportunity for them to practise and hone their skills. Teaching others is a great way to learn.”

Simon Roberson, BT’s North East regional partnership director, said: “This is what the Digital Durham project is all about – making a real difference to communities across the county in improving business, education and leisure opportunities and accessibility generally.”

BT’s £5.9m investment bolsters £7.8m from Durham County and Gateshead councils , £10.1m from the Government and £1.3m from other agencies

Visit www.digitaldurham.org for information about Digital Durham.