Tadcaster has been celebrating its success in securing broadband - the new service which dramatically speeds up Internet access.

ADSL Broadband will go live in Tadcaster on May 14 following a campaign launched last October by Angela Usher, president of the town's chamber of trade and commerce.

Mrs Usher enlisted the help of Tadcaster Learning Centre, BT, and Legend service provider to obtain 350 registrations.

Although falling short of the 400 signatures needed, BT was so impressed with the combined effort that it decided to review its regulations on broadband and lowered the threshold. To encourage people to support the initiative on the official Tadcaster website, Mrs Usher arranged a special competition with the chance to win an X-Box supplied by BT.

She said: "I managed to get nearly 200 people registered via the website and by further campaigning, but I needed some extra help."

This was provided by Selby College's Tadcaster Learning Centre, which boosted the campaign by gaining the support of its computing students. All students were entered into a draw and given a chance to win a year's free subscription to broadband, supplied by Legend.

John Barton, Tadcaster Learning Centre manager, said that Selby College would supply the ADSL modem and microfilters required to receive broadband.

The celebration, which coincided with the learning centre's first birthday, saw the winners presented with their prizes. Ben Wilson, of Marlborough Avenue, Tadcaster, was the lucky recipient of the X-Box while Maureen Walshaw won the subscription to broadband.

BT public relations manager, Anne Crowther, commended Mrs Usher for her campaign efforts and said they would be using her as a role model in their broadband marketing.

Updated: 10:59 Wednesday, April 09, 2003