Northumberland County Council will set up a digital company to take the lead on the £25 million rollout of super-fast broadband across the region.

The organisation will be given responsibility for every facet of the publicly funded broadband scheme in what is thought to be a UK first, reports the Northumberland Gazette.

Earlier this month, the council's executive decided to establish the body under the control of Arch, its existing development company, in a bid to ensure that the new organisation retains a focus on delivering economic growth.

Northumberland was awarded £7 million of central government funding at the start of 2012 to support the rollout and will contribute the same amount from its own budget, while the communications provider chosen to deliver the new broadband network will also be expected to invest.

Additional cash has been secured for localised projects in Hexhamshire, Felton, North Tyne and Redesdale, Riding Mill, Rothbury and Coquetdale.

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