A COMMUNITY blighted by poor internet speeds is set to benefit from a county-wide scheme to install faster broadband.

Crockenhill Parish Council has successfully secured a grant from Kent County Council for the provision of broadband to struggling black spots.

David Rea, of Parkgate Road, Crockenhill, consulted with the parish council on the application after suffering from poor internet speeds for three decades.

The 64-year-old said: ”We are actually the reason why it has all started because we have absolutely no broadband up here. It was us campaigning for it."

The Ruxley Beekeepers chairman added: “Until this came on the scene we thought we were going to be doomed forever.”

A company called Call Flow will now install broadband bundles in the village which will take three to five months to install.

Once ready, villagers will be able to reach speeds ranging from 10mbs to 15 or 20mbs.

Meanwhile, Farningham, which was recently named Britain’s slowest download spot by media researchers Top10.com, could also benefit from a share of £1.5 million KCC Superfast Broadband pilot fund.

Download speeds in Farningham average 1.3mb, compared with the national average of 5.2mb, meaning it takes 12 hours to download a movie.

Farningham Parish Council chairman Malcolm Gale said: “The original designation of Farningham as having the slowest broadband in the country is still a bit of a mystery to us, but obviously new generation broadband would be of benefit to everyone.”

Applications are invited from community groups, parish councils and local authorities by April 14. For a form, call 08458 247247.