BT has revealed that 59,000 homes and businesses in Wiltshire have connected up to its broadband services.

Broadband is now one of the fastest growing consumer products of all time with a higher take-up rate than TV, CD players, video-recorders and mobile phones.

Lizzie Beesley, the BT regional director for the south west, said: "This region is now in the fast lane towards a high-speed digital future.

"By this summer, BT will have brought broadband to exchanges serving virtually all of the households and businesses in the region (99.8 per cent), which is tremendous news for the people living and working in the south west.

"They all had the vision to join broadband through partnerships like Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace."

The eWiltshire and eSwindon campaigns are run by the Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace partnership, which was launched in November 2003.

The three-year programme aims to make broadband available throughout the county

It also aims to ensure businesses and individuals are able to make the most of the high speed technology through raising levels of awareness, training and advice.