NORWEB Telecom has announced a £6 million expandison plan which will bring high-bandwidth communications services to hundreds of Cumbrian businesses.

The company, part of United Utilities, is expanding its services in Kendal, Barrow, Penrith and Carlisle.

Marketing director Andrew Parker said: "There is a huge demand for broadband services in Cumbria.

Many local businesses are unaware that there is a real alternative to BT in the region, but we can offer them genuine choice, affordable bandwidth and the technology and expertise to support it."

The existing network between Kendal and Carlisle is to get a capacity upgrade, while a new 98km fibre-optic connection is being installed between Carlisle and Newcastle as part of the multi-million pound investment.