The broadband revolution has reached Burley and Addingham with the launch of a campaign to improve internet access throughout the District.

Just months ago the two villagers were told they did not qualify for the service but now after a innovative business and council partnership they are just two weeks away from being always on-line.

Local businesses are to be given grants of £300 to help them connect up - and workshops are to be held to give advice and support to companies and individuals.

The package of help was unveiled at the official launch of the Broadband Airedale and Wharfedale Campaign on Tuesday.

The campaign, which is unique, was set up to enable diverse organisations to work in tandem in order to bring broadband to areas which would not otherwise receive it.

Bradford Council, - For-ward, BT and Business Link have joined forces to overcome the hurdles which are standing in the way of outlying villages.

With support from the European Regional Develop-ment Fund they are bringing broadband to telephone exchanges in Burley, Adding-ham, Silsden and Steeton, Denholme and Thornton, and Cullingworth and Wilsden.

The official switch-on in Burley and Addingham will take place on Wednesday November 19 and in preparation local people are being invited to a number of workshops, the first of which will be held at Burley Cricket Club on November 13.

Campaign Project Manager David Broadhead said 70 workshops would be held throughout the district over the next few months giving free advice about technology and safety issues.

He said the benefits for the area would be enormous and the improved technology would have a knock on effect on the environment with a reduction in traffic on the roads as more people were able to work from home.

The campaign is being warmly welcomed in the area - even by members of the LS29 group which had planned to provide its own broadband access to Burley.

The group set up its own scheme after it was told the village did not reach the trigger figure for broadband.

But it was left in debt when the Airedale and Wharfedale Campaign was formed shortly afterwards.

Now organisers of LS29 are giving the campaign their backing and stress the need for the village to look forward into the future.

Rombalds councillor Matt Palmer said: "I wish they could have done it in a different way - but I am very pleased that it is happening. It is exciting news for Burley.

"There are a huge number of tele-workers in Burley and a huge number of people who work from home for part of the week. This will be tremendously beneficial for them."

He urged local people to go to the workshops and take advantage of the free advice and grants.

His views were supported by Burley Chamber of Trade Chairman James Richards who stressed: "There is no point harping on about the past.

It is here now and there will be money available for business to connect to broadband.

We have a huge number of people in Burley who use the internet regularly, and this is excellent news for them."