A BELTON man is appealing for villagers to join him in a battle to improve broadband services in the area. John Stravers wants fellow Talk Talk customers to contact him in a bid to improve the internet service offered by the company.

A BELTON man is appealing for villagers to join him in a battle to improve broadband services in the area.

John Stravers wants fellow Talk Talk customers to contact him in a bid to improve the internet service offered by the company. The one-man-mission was inspired after Mr Stravers, of Rosedale Gardens, signed up to a Talk Talk phone package which offered free broadband.

However, Mr Stravers is paying �15 a month for broadband because the company's free supply is not available in Belton. And after several emails and letters regarding the lack of free broadband, Mr Stravers has been offered a few months internet connection free of charge.

The retired offshore worker said: “When I complained I was told by Talk Talk that the telephone exchange was not big enough to house their equipment. There is a list of exchanges on their website which they are improving and ones already improved but Burgh Castle is not in that list.

“When a company says they can offer a service, they should be able to deliver.”

Mr Stravers is now appealing for customers living in Belton, Burgh Castle and parts of Bradwell who have experienced the same problem to contact him.

A TalkTalk spokesman said:

“We are continually looking to expand our network however there may be economic reasons why it may not be feasible to unbundle a specific exchange.”

To contact Mr Stravers email jcstravers@ googlemail. com

Virgin Media has launched the UK's fastest broadband service in Great Yarmouth.

Homes can now get a service nearly nine times faster than the average broadband speed.