TWO towns in Worcestershire are among 251 rural locations across the country set to benefit from upgrades to broadband speeds over the next three years.

BT Openreach confirmed Evesham and Malvern will be connected to its Full Fibre network.

Openreach’s new plans will see Full Fibre Broadband available to a further 3.2 million homes and businesses in the hardest to reach parts of the UK by the mid-2020s.

Full Fibre is currently the fastest and most reliable broadband technology using fibre optic cables to connect the exchange directly to each premises.

Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “I am delighted that the two areas of Evesham and Malvern have today been named as being part of Openreach’s new plans to deploy full gigabit capable fibre networks.

"Commercial investment in the Full Fibre broadband network by operators like Openreach supports improvements in both wider economic growth and quality of life.

“Allowing people to work, access education and services from home and connecting business sites, is absolutely critical to the success of post-coronavirus Britain.

"This positive announcement will go some way to further improving access to Gigabit capable broadband in Worcestershire.”

He added: “More investment will be needed from both commercial operators, public sector and potentially communities themselves to achieve the government’s ambition of Gigabit broadband speeds for all by 2025.

"We remain committed to supporting the challenge to help ensure Worcestershire remains a connected, creative, dynamic economy for all.”