The government's £10 million funding boost for a Welsh super-fast broadband pilot has been warmly welcomed by the country's secretary of state.

Cheryl Gillan said the move demonstrates the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition's commitment to placing Wales at the centre of plans to bring the UK the best high-speed broadband network in Europe by 2015.

George Osborne, the chancellor, announced the public money will be used to improve home and business broadband speeds in and around the north Wales town of Pwllheli.

Ms Gillan explained: "For this to work we need to test innovative approaches that bring broadband to hard-to-reach areas.

"We are committed to working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government to delivering this project."

None of the government's first four super-fast broadband pilot projects - announced in October 2010 - are located in Wales, which sparked anger from some commentators.

Instead, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Herefordshire and Scotland's Highlands and Islands were chosen as the rural test sites. 

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