A SOUTH Lakeland primary school will now benefit from faster broadband speeds after joining the Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) network.

B4RN's mission is to ensure rural areas have access to its fibre optic broadband network.

B4RN chief executive officer Michael Lee was joined by South Lakes MP Tim Farron at Crosthwaite Primary School this morning to mark the occasion.

The school is receiving its new-and-improved broadband free of charge.

The introduction of 'voucher priority areas' by the Government means many B4RN projects in Cumbria will still be eligible for funding.

Mr Lee said: “The Government are still ironing out exactly where the 'voucher priority areas' will be.

"Once we have this information, we'll be able to confirm the good news to many of our volunteer groups in Cumbria and Northumberland that B4RN is coming to their community.”

Mr Farron said it had been an 'absolute joy' to pay the school a visit.

“This fantastic collaboration between B4RN and the local community in Crosthwaite will now make the village even more attractive for people to stay and bring up their family here, which is really great news for the long-term future of the school,” he said.