BUSINESSES have united to make a North Yorkshire town a hub of digital technology.

The launch of Harrogate Digital Forum attracted almost 100 business people all keen to join the campaign to make Harrogate a national centre of excellence in digital technology.

At an event at the Pavilions, in Harrogate, Keith Evans of the Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA) outlined the funding and support available for local digital businesses through the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire.

The forum aims to increase the number of people in the Harrogate area who have access to broadband. Speakers at the launch said only three per cent of Britons had access to broadband, compared to 23 per cent in Korea and 13 per cent in Canada. Heather Jackson, business development manager at Harrogate College, said: "One thought is for Harrogate District to leap ahead with the number of people having access to broadband to increase innovation and use of digital technologies.

"We are also keen to find a flagship project for our forum to work together on - winning new business or setting up a pilot programme across the district. We would welcome hearing from those who have ideas or experience in this area."

The forum is funded by local and regional government bodies, including the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire using funds from Yorkshire Forward and Harrogate College. It is intended that the forum will eventually be owned and run by its members.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, June 25, 2004