Surrey's super-fast broadband agreement with BT has been held up as an example of how the county is contributing to the UK's economic recovery.

In September, the county council awarded a major fibre optic broadband contract to the telecoms giant, which is set to bring the technology to almost 100 per cent of local homes and businesses by the end of 2014.

Estimates based on World Bank research suggest that the deal - which will make Surrey the best-connected county in the UK - could boost the local economy by nearly £30 million per year.

In the wake of news from the Office for National Statistics revealing the UK economy grew by one per cent between July and September, Surrey County Council insisted the area has played a part in the national upturn.

Deputy leader Peter Martin commented: "We have more start-up businesses reaching significant turnovers than anywhere outside London, done a super-fast broadband deal to make Surrey the UK's best-connected county and thrown our weight and money behind apprenticeships."

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