Faster broadband speeds will help to attract more high-quality jobs to rural areas such as Richmondshire, a local council chief has said.

North Yorkshire was chosen as one of the government's first super-fast broadband pilot sites, resulting in the county being allocated £16 million of funding to improve internet connectivity in the area.

Without the public funding, North Yorkshire may have been left without up-to-date broadband services, as the low and diversely-situated local population means the county was at risk of being ignored by private sector providers such as BT and Virgin Media.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, leader of Richmondshire District Council John Blackie claimed the public money for rural broadband improvement work is "absolutely the best prospect" for the area.

"Fast broadband and the wonderful lifestyle we can offer in the Dales go hand in hand," he remarked.

Mr Blackie insisted these local assets could help to encourage IT entrepreneurs to set up shop in Richmondshire, potentially bringing an end to the district's traditional problem of below-average levels of pay.

"Then at last we will begin to see high-quality jobs returning to Richmondshire," he added.

His comments were echoed by James Farrar of North Yorkshire's economic assessment unit, who stated modern technologies - such as high-speed broadband - could make a "huge difference" to the area over the coming years.

"I think somewhere like Richmondshire is very well placed to benefit," Mr Farrar said.

MP for Skipton and Ripon Julian Smith is leading the Broadband North Yorkshire campaign in a bid to bring faster speeds to properties across the county, which accounts for four of England's eight most sparsely populated districts.

The movement is aiming to deliver high-quality internet connectivity to as close to 100 per cent of homes and businesses in the area as possible.

"That way they can carry out their business when and how they wish whilst living and working in North Yorkshire," Mr Smith explained.

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