More than 7,000 residents in a Staffordshire village will be given the opportunity to benefit from a quicker and more efficient internet system from today. Broadband has been launched in Cheslyn Hay, near Cannock.

It means around 630 businesses and 7,295 residents can sign up to the facility. Broadband will improve competitiveness, profitability and levels of customer service as it operates at 10 times the standard speed.

Also, as it is always on-line, phone calls can be made over the same line at the same time.

Broadband has been introduced to the village's telephone exchange after more than 400 people in the area showed they were interested in signing up to it. Broadband was activated in Heath Hayes last month and will be introduced in Codsall next week.

The Hednesford and Rugeley exchanges have also just reached the target for the number of people showing interest. The facility will be switched on in Hednesford on May 28 and in Rugeley on June 18.

Frank Mills, BT's West Midlands Regional Director, said: "BT is committed to bringing the benefits of broadband to more and more customers and communities in the region." To check if broadband is available in your area log on to www.bt.com/broadband.