THE North of Tyne Mayor has paid a visit to the Allen Valleys.

Labour’s Jamie Driscoll visited the area to see the work of Broadband for the Allen Valleys (B4AV) as they bring superfast, full fibre broadband to the area.

One of Mr Driscoll’s key manifesto pledges was to improve the coverage of high speed internet in the county.

And the work of the volunteers seems to have made an impression.

He said: “It’s brilliant. They’re a great bunch of people.

“This is about communities taking control of our own economic future. Broadband internet is crucial to so much of the future.

“This is about creating that sustainability. It’s socially sustainable, it’s economically sustainable, and it’s environmentally sustainable.”

Mr Driscoll also visited the Higher Ground social enterprise project in Allendale, which aims to improve mental health and to support social inclusion through workshops.