91Èȱ¬

Superfast broadband has been pledged for more than 9,000 homes and businesses in Shropshire by 2017.

Telford and Wrekin Council said it has signed a major contract with BT to start its £5.6m Superfast Telford project, which includes government funding.

Work will begin in the autumn with the first properties being able to use the service next spring.

Up to 98% of properties will have it by the end of 2017, the council said.

The authority said it will continue to try to find solutions for the remaining 2%.

Confirming £2m in government funding for the project, Digital Economy Minister, Ed Vaizey said: "Our roll out of superfast broadband is on track to reach 95% of the UK by 2017 and I'm delighted that Telford and Wrekin are joining our programme.

"Once completed, this project will make Telford and Wrekin one of the best connected areas of the UK, providing a huge boost to the local economy."

But the Federation of Small Businesses has said the target of at least 24Mbps in homes within the next two years lacked ambition and needed a rethink.