INVERKIP is the latest local community to join the revolutionary super fast broadband highway.

Around 4,000 homes and businesses have been connected to new fibre optic broadband as a direct result of the Digital Scotland roll out programme.

But together with commercial installations by BT it now means that 20,000 properties across Inverclyde can now get access to faster internet speeds.

Business and political leaders welcomed the move to deliver high speeds to over 650 properties in Inverkip, following on from upgrades in Greenock, Gourock and Wemyss Bay.

The latest technology brings speeds of up to 80 Mbps.

Council leader Stephen McCabe, who helped unveil the first of the cabinets delivering the high speed connections, said: “It’s really exciting to hear that premises in and around Inverkip as well as other areas in Inverclyde can now connect to fibre broadband. It’s good to see this project reaching more communities in our area, contributing towards the aim of connecting most of our homes and businesses to fibre broadband.” Businessman Alistair Hardy of Inverkip Hotel, pictured above centre, welcomed the roll out in Inverkip.

He said: “I am delighted that fibre broadband has arrived in the village.

“It will be great for both residents and small businesses like the hotel.” Fibre broadband enables multiple users in a home or business to access the internet and download and share large files at the same time more quickly than ever before.

In order to take advantage of the higher speeds now available, residents should contact their service provider.

Residents can check an interactive map on the Digital Scotland website www.digitalscotland.org/whereandwhen to find out if they can get the service.