A GROUP campaigning for future-proof broadband in a West Dorset village will see their petition discussed by councillors today (26).

The Uploders Superfast Broadband (USB) campaign handed over a petition to chairman of Dorset County Council's environment overview committee, Cllr Daryl Turner earlier this month - and will have their concerns heard at today's committee meeting.

The group are worried that a requirement to provide fibre optic broadband for only 95 percent of each county, means that smaller communities could be left isolated.

Campaigner Claire Upton believes the council has a responsibility to provide the superfast broadband to rural businesses.

"With 44 percent of our homes in Uploders having a business or educational need, it is essential that the council start acknowledging their responsibilities to rural businesses, by investing in the infrastructure that will enable them to flourish - and at the same time allowing our children an equal chance in school" she said.

"Some of the reasons given for ignoring us just don't make sense. We are being described as a remote village and an isolated community when 300 metres down the road, the other half of our village, Loders, will have optic fibre connection. If 300 metres makes us remote and isolated, Dorset County Council councillors must be terribly agoraphobic."

In a report to councillors, senior project manager at Dorset County Council, Dugald Lockhart said there may be several options that could be investigated - but that any decision could be delayed until after May's election.

"The committee may wish to investigate the options available to Uploders in more detail" said Mr Lockhart. "There may be self-funded activity that residents can take to improve connectivity; there may also be further options available to Superfast Dorset, for example, to prioritise a particular village over others - although this may have implications elsewhere.

"However, given the closeness of elections, it may be that the committee prefers to defer a decision until after May 7 and possibly after the tender for the second contract has been received and evaluated."