VILLAGERS on the North York Moors are celebrating after the long-awaited arrival of superfast broadband.

Previously, internet speeds in Hutton-le-Hole were described as “catastrophic and dire” with speeds of around one Mbps being common.

Taking matters into their own hands, villagers even got as far as gaining planning permission for a community internet mast through a rural broadband provider.

However in January 2016 it was decided that the village would be part of phase two of the rollout of superfast internet in the county, which is being delivered by council-funded Superfast North Yorkshire.

And residents have now been informed that the local telephone cabinet has been upgraded to fibre which can deliver speeds of up to 80 Mbps.

However villagers will not automatically see a difference as they must contact their service provider and place an order for fibre optic broadband, with not all service providers offering fibre in the area.

Jennifer Smith, director of the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole, said: “The upgrade to superfast internet will make a difference to our work at Ryedale Folk Museum, as well as other businesses and residents of the village.

"I can see only positive benefits for us all."