A Norfolk MP has urged businesses not to miss their chance to help bring superfast broadband to the county.

Today (Monday) is the final day for business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders of voluntary groups to back a bid for millions of pounds of government funding to give everyone access to speeds of at least 2Mbps.

Today, Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman issued a clarion call for the county to support the EDP and Norfolk County Council's Broadband: Back the Bid campaign, which began two weeks ago.

He said: 'Access to broadband in rural areas is not a luxury, it is an essential part of life. Whether starting or running a business, community group, or a family, access to broadband is a fundamental of modern life.'

Mr Freeman, who recently launched a bursary with Digby Jones for local school leavers as part of The Norfolk Way initiative, was one of the first of the county's MPs to give the campaign his support.

Broadband Delivery UK, part of the department for culture, media and sport, has a pot of �530m to award during this parliament which aims to bring parts of the country not likely to benefit from private-sector investment up to speed.

Norfolk County Council, in conjunction with Shaping Norfolk's Future and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, is in the process of putting together a bid for more than �10m which will be used to give every person in the county access to speeds of at least 2Mbps.

As part of that bid, the council wants to hear from every business and voluntary group in the county about how their business or organisation is being held back by poor broadband.

To show your support, download the testimonial form from the EDP24 homepage and email it to sandra.mackay@archant.co.uk.