Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart has praised BT's decision to bring fibre optic broadband to the region.

The Cumbrian town of Penrith has been chosen by the company to be the first community in the county to be hooked up to super-fast broadband, with more than 8,500 homes and businesses set to get access to the technology by spring 2012.

Responding to the news, Mr Stewart described it as a "great first step" towards Cumbria's goal of having the fastest broadband network in Europe over the coming years.

He argued the county has been ignored for too long, but acknowledged the area's sparse population means it has unique needs.

"Penrith businesses will really benefit from faster broadband speeds and greater market access. So too will vulnerable communities such as the elderly and students," the Conservative backbencher added.

Mr Stewart has previously expressed his desire for at least 30 Cumbrian parishes to be transformed into hyper-connected communities by 2012.

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