VILLAGERS are celebrating after a campaign to bring Superfast broadband to a community was finally given the green light.

Residents in Uploders put pressure on Dorset County Council after the village was initially missed off the next phase of the broadband roll-out. But now the council has announced Uploders will be connected by 2018.

Campaigners launched a petition after discovering they would miss out on the technology - despite plans to connect Loders, 300 yards down the road.

Claire Upton, who led the campaign, said: "We first got an inkling when BT changes the status of the village on their broadband map, but we've now received confirmation from the council that indeed Uploders is to be included.

"Despite the arguments by Superfast Dorset that it was technically far too complicated and expensive, it seems that as is often the case, where there's a will there's a way - and we are very pleased that the way has bee found."

Campaigners collected signatures from 114 Uploders householders who were contactable, out of a total of 128 households. Of the 114 premises, 57 have a business, work or educational need - requiring a future-proof broadband.

“It seems many people acknowledged the unfairness of touting Superfast broadband as an essential utility and at the same time excluding a significant percentage of the population," added Claire.

"We seem to have won this battle but clearly we will continue to be vigilant to ensure that the promise is fulfilled and indeed two of our number will continue to work with the parish council to monitor the progress of the rollout in the village."

Three thousand more homes and businesses will get access to high-speed fibre broadband as a result of a further £3 million investment.

The partnership is led by Dorset County Council, working with BT and the government's Broadband Delivery UK programme.

A spokesperson from Superfast Dorset, said: "Uploders is one of more than 55 communities in the county who will benefit from additional funding.

"This was allocated on the same value for money basis that has determined coverage throughout the programme.

"Our delivery partner BT is planning this work in greater detail now that the contract has been signed, and we will provide more information as soon as we can, although this may take some time. Service is likely to be available in these areas in 2017 or 2018."

"Superfast Dorset has already reached many rural communities and this additional funding means that we will be reaching even more residents and businesses in Dorset that would have otherwise been left behind. Fibre broadband connections will enable businesses to thrive and bring new opportunities to individuals and communities across our county."