A small rural project is taking on the might of telecoms giants to speed-up internet connection for people living in the country.

Broadband suppliers, such as BT, have said it is not economically viable to wire-up rural areas such as the Eden Valley in Cumbria.

Now a community project, called Edenfaster, plans to bring wireless technology to make internet connection 200 times faster.

It is hoped the new technology will encourage entrepreneurs to set up business in the area.

Educational benefits

Edenfaster is to install a �150,000 radio mast and network of transmitters throughout Kirby Stephen, Appleby and surrounding villages

Lindsay Annison, of Digitaldales, told BBC Look North they planned to offer super-speed internet access to more than 10,000 people.

"Edenfaster is a broadband community internet project for this area.. there are 10,800 people, over 500 businesses and 10 primary schools.

Signed up

"The idea is to provide affordable, constantly available, fast broadband access to everyone who wants it."

One hundred people have already signed up for the service

Anyone with a laptop and a password will be able to tap into the service.

Organisers hope the Edenfaster project will be funded by the North West Development Agency Broadband Fund.