Lack of financial support for broadband and other infrastructure is holding back the growth of Norfolk's science industries, a local MP has argued.

Speaking during a visit to the site of Babraham Bioscience Technologies in Cambridge, Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman - recently appointed as the government's life sciences advisor - said firms in the sector are being adversely affected by "chronic underinvestment" in infrastructure.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, Mr Freeman claimed biomedical, food science, digital and energy research offer huge growth potential, but the largest challenge facing these industries is how to bring their ideas to market.

Improving broadband connectivity is one factor that would help these businesses to shine, he insisted. Other areas the MP outlined for upgrades were the rail link that runs from Cambridge to Ipswich and the A11 road.

He claimed these changes are "vital to opening up the eastern region's full innovation potential".

Mr Freeman added: "As we confront the challenge of developing a sustainable economic recovery in the face of cutthroat competition from the emerging world, the region's world-class research institutes at either end of the A11 represent a major research corridor with the potential to match Boston and other US life science clusters."

His comments come shortly after Norfolk County Council (NCC) announced preparations have begun on a major project to roll out super-fast broadband across the area.

Under the local authority's plans, speeds of up to 30Mbps will be deployed to many parts of Norfolk, while all other properties will receive minimum speeds of 2Mbps.

Ann Steward, cabinet member for economic development at NCC, revealed the first homes and businesses in Norfolk will be able to connect to the improved broadband service in just over 18 months' time.

The scheme has been partially funded by £15 million of investment from the government.

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