At a meeting of the Teesdale Parish Forum this week, Alastair Dinwiddie, from Aladin Enterprises, which has been researching a solution to broadband in the area, spoke to members of parish councils about the proposal, which could be up and running within 15 months, subject to funding. The wireless system would be operated by Durham Net, which is bidding for a grant from regional development agency One NorthEast, towards the set-up costs.

Mr Dinwiddie, who completed his investigations with the help of the West Durham Rural Pathfinder Broadband Project, said: "The price for the internet would be competitive, so you would be looking at about £20 or £30 a month. What it would do is bring a solution to all the areas that haven't got a solution and provide existing users with a much better service."