A RALLYING call has gone out to a South Lakes village to sign up for hyperfast broadband.

Witherslack residents are being urged to support an offer from Broadband for Rural North Ltd - B4RN - to bring network speeds of 1,000mbps to the parish, but only if 65 per cent of its population and 90 per cent of businesses back the scheme.

B4RN is a not-for-profit organisation with an ethos of community self-help, which fits well with the spirit of Witherslack, said resident Steve Ratcliffe.

"We are a very close-knit village with a community shop, pub, two schools and go the extra distance to help each other," he said. "It is exactly this sort of commitment we now need as we galvanise our people to go with a project that will ultimately benefit each and every one of us.

“We have the backing of businesses and Witherslack estate, but need every household who uses the internet to back this ambitious plan.”

Mr Ratcliffe said he hoped the village would turn out in force on Wednesday, June 26 when B4RN representatives will test support.

"Every household will be targeted with leaflets before that date in a bid to get as many people as possible to the meeting.

“We really do need a big turn-out. This is literally a call to arms to the entire parish as many of us are genuinely concerned the survival of the community as we know it is at stake.”

The June 26 meeting at Witherslack village hall starts at 7pm.

To register your interest, see www.witherslackb4rn.org.uk or email info@witherslackb4rn.org.uk