Thousands of homes have been added to a high-speed broadband grid as part of a project to improve internet connections across the county.

Villages just outside the city including Newton St Faith and Horsham St Faith have benefitted from the scheme.

The project is part of a £157m programme between the government and telecommunications firm City Fibre called ‘Project Gigabit’.

Places like Newton St Faith and Horsham St Faith have historically suffered from slower internet speedsPlaces like Newton St Faith and Horsham St Faith have historically suffered from slower internet speeds (Image: Newsquest) Councillor Jane James, cabinet member at Norfolk County Council, said: "It's great to see the first customers connected via the Project Gigabit rollout in Norfolk.

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CityFibre is installing the infrastructure for 62,000 new connections across Norfolk and NorwichCityFibre is installing the infrastructure for 62,000 new connections across Norfolk and Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

"Access to extremely fast and reliable full fibre is incredibly important to our residents and businesses and will transform the way people live and work in these rural communities."

Martin Deltrice, a keen amateur broadcaster who lives in Horsham St Faith, said: "Both latency and reliability need to be good when broadcasting over amateur radio.

"If you're trying to have a conversation you can't have the line keep dropping but now the internet works beautifully."

Jane James, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for corporate services and innovation celebrated the first of the new connectionsJane James, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for corporate services and innovation celebrated the first of the new connections (Image: Jane James)