ROYAL Wootton Bassett became the first town in Wiltshire to welcome superfast broadband when the wires went live yesterday.

The new fibre broadband can reach speeds of more than 24Mbps, so users will be able to stream videos without buffering and download content more quickly.

Arthur Cooper, a volunteer co-ordinator for the Digital Literacy project with Wiltshire Council which helps people to access digital technology, said the project will make a huge difference to elderly and vulnerable people who can often become isolated in the digital age.

He said: “It’s all about communication and people want to get online to stay in touch with their relatives through Skype. Superfast broadband will make that easier.”

The news was also warmly received by resident Rachel Wise, 36, who said it was great news for her 15-year-old son.

“My teenage son will be absolutely delighted, he’s always nagging at me about the internet which he uses for his XBox, so he will be really pleased we have it in Bassett,” she said.

It is good news for businesses like Sugar Rush, owned by Andrew and Diddie Morgan-Holmes.

Andrew said: “I’m not on it at the moment but it’s good to know that it is in Bassett.”

Bassett is the first town in a roll-out across the county thanks to a muliti-million pound partnership which is between Wiltshire Council, South Gloucestershire Council and BT.

The project also benefited from grants from the UK Government’s Superfast Britain programme and the European Regional Develop-ment Fund.

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for broadband, said: “It’s fantastic that superfast broadband is now live in Bassett.

“People often say that what they would most like us to do is get superfast broadband, so it’s wonderful that we are able to offer it now to the residents.

“This will provide a real boost for residents and local businesses in the area.

“We have worked hard with our partners to get to this stage and look forward to announcing more communities soon who will benefit from superfast broadband.”

About 100 homes will now be able to sign up to superfast broadband, with an expected 1,500 receiving the service by the end of January.