Northumberland is aiming to secure broadband funding from a range of public sources, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

According to the Journal, a new report from the county council revealed the iNorthumberland team submitted a bid for £9 million to the ERDF in August and a £2 million application to Defra shortly before.

Stephen Gray, iNorthumberland programme director, said the report outlines the true cost of reaching the ten per cent of most remote communities in the county and is part of a "major lobbying exercise".

"Various lobbying activities are under way with MPs, Broadband Delivery UK and BT to accelerate broadband procurement and make the case for more funding," he explained.

Northumberland's geography means the council's broadband project is challenging, with many isolated villages currently stuck in the internet slow lane.

Only nine per cent of properties have super-fast broadband access, according to Ofcom's Communications Infrastructure Report.

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