REMOTE North Yorkshire communities may soon find out soon when they will benefit from the next phase of Government funding for faster broadband connections.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy called for money for the superfast broadband expansion’s second stage in the region to be released early, saying many North Yorkshire areas could be “left behind” otherwise.

The Superfast North Yorkshire scheme is scheduled to reach its target of faster speeds for 90 per cent of homes ahead of the rest of the UK.

Mr Sturdy told Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, who is responsible for the development, during a Westminster debate on the issue that this may mean the region having to wait for others to catch up.

The second slice of broadband funding will total £250 million but North Yorkshire’s share has to be confirmed. Mr Sturdy was backed by MPs Nigel Adams, Andrew Jones and Julian Smith.