Villages on the Norfolk-Suffolk border will benefit if a community broadband scheme is successful in its first rounds of investment.

B4RN East Anglia is fundraising for four projects as it aims to establish a network of 1,000MBps broadband – following a successful model in Lancashire.

The social enterprise, which is a branch of the Broadband for the Rural North network, is calling for residents and supporters in three villages to back the initiatives. The first pilot project is seeking £124,215 to connect 101 homes in Billingford and Thelveton – with work commencing once funds are raised.

The second fund is to connect 72 homes in the Shimpling area, with £82,500 needed, and a third will connect 130 properties at Gissing for around £200,000.

Supporters can also allocate funds to the East Anglia project as a whole, the fourth pot, so cash can be distributed where it is needed most.