A VOUCHER scheme offering business grants of up to £3,000 to access high speed broadband has been extended.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across York now have longer to apply for a broadband connection voucher, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

More than 115 SMEs in the city have already received a connection voucher and following an extension to the scheme businesses now have until April 2016 to apply for a voucher.

The scheme was initially scheduled to close this month but remains open to businesses on a first come first served basis.

The voucher scheme is part of York’s strategy to become the best connected digital city of its size in the UK.

In the past year funding from the DCMS has seen free WiFi available in York’s city centre, as well as in public buildings and buses across the city.

Last year York also announced a private sector partnership which aims to see York become the UK’s first Gigabit city in 2017.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I’m delighted that York has taken up the challenge to become one of the UK’s Superconnected Cities as part of the Government programme.

"It’s vital that our cities have the digital infrastructure like superfast broadband and wifi in place to deal with the demands of the digital age."

Cllr David Levene, cabinet member for Transport, Planning and Economic Development said: "We are committed to supporting and growing York’s economy.

"A key part of this is enabling our businesses to thrive by ensuring we have the right infrastructure."