DIGITAL and culture Minister Matt Hancock MP has opened a new £500,000 3D printing showroom at a North Yorkshire company.

The minister was in the county for two days to see progress on the superfast broadband network.

He opened the showroom at GoPrint3D in Ripon, and heard how the arrival of superfast broadband has helped the company with video conference, and making it possible for customers to send large digital files for printing.

Mr Hancock praised the council's work on broadband.

"Our rollout of superfast broadband has already reached another 165,000 homes and businesses with Superfast North Yorkshire. This is a commendable achievement as a result of the county council’s forward-thinking approach.

"However, more needs to be done. More than £20m is now being invested in taking superfast speeds to more local premises, helping make sure people have the fast, reliable and affordable broadband that they need for the digital age."