A community-led gigabit broadband project has reached a milestone in their campaign as a cabinet has been installed in Barrasford.

Local volunteer group B4NTR (Broadband for North Tyne and Redesdale) have been working for more than a year to bring B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North) to the area.

They helped plan the routes for the fibre ducting, got free access to the land, encouraged local investment, and secured government voucher funding.

A civil engineering team from B4RN have installed a green cabinet in the village, opposite Chollerton C of E First School.

The school will receive the hyperfast service from B4RN for free.

Their headteacher Hazel Davey said: “This will make such a difference to us as the speed of the internet can be very variable, frustrating staff and pupils alike.

"The children have learnt to be very patient and it will be wonderful to improve the service for them.

"Everything comes to those who wait."

She added: "The financial implications for our small budget are massive and we can now redirect money to other projects to benefit the children."

Eventually, customers will have their full fibre-to-the-home connections "patched in" inside the cabinet.

B4NTR said money from the local Ray Wind Fund and the support of Northumberland Estates and other landowners has been vital, allowing cabling to go across their land for free.

B4RN has been building a gigabit (1,000Mbps) capable fibre-to-the-premises network since 2011, reaching into very remote parts of rural places across the country.

Future B4RN customer, Jane, has been trying to get a "decent" broadband connection.

"I live remotely, and other service providers have either refused to offer a service at all, or have quoted prohibitive prices," she said.

"[Getting B4RN] is going to be life-changing for me, and particularly our children, and I can’t say how grateful and impressed I am by this inspirational, not-for-profit, community-led and inclusive project."

B4RN's gigabit broadband costs £30 per month for households, along with a £150 one-off connection fee.

People living in Barrasford, Gunnerton, Birtley, The Woodburns, Corsenside, Colwell, The Swinburnes, Thockrington, The Bavingtons, Kirkwhelpington, Cambo, Scots Gap, Wallington and any property in between can sign up for service at b4rn.org.uk/getb4rn

B4NTR said if people sign up before the end of this month, it will unlock government funding for the project, meaning more people can be connected and installation of the network will take place quicker.

To find out more, visit: https://www.facebook.com/B4NTR or b4rn.org.uk