A cluster of rural villages in Norfolk have finally been given access to high speed internet.

Eastern Daily Press: The south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard SmithThe south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard Smith (Image: Archant)

Residents and businesses in Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood, all in south Norfolk, can now receive 1 gigabit broadband after the latest technology was installed in Burston.

The project was led by B4RN, a non-profit community benefit society dedicated to bringing faster internet to rural areas through a network of local volunteers and contractors, providing employment along the way.

Eastern Daily Press: The south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard SmithThe south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard Smith (Image: Archant)

Members of its Lancashire-based team were in Norfolk to oversee installation of a fibre cabinet and complete rail and road crossings.

And a host of volunteers and villagers, including steering group members Jane and Brian Fishwick, Alison Wakeham, and Lynn and Jim Howard came together with David Evans from B4RN South Norfolk to celebrate a significant milestone.

Eastern Daily Press: The south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard SmithThe south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard Smith (Image: Archant)

Creating networks is partially funded by the government’s gigabit voucher scheme, with the remainder from local investment and volunteers.

To apply for a voucher in your community, visit b4rn.org.uk/postcode-checker.

Eastern Daily Press: The south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard SmithThe south Norfolk villages of Shimpling, Burston, Gissing and The Heywood are set to gain access to high speed internet thanks to B4RN. Picture: Peter Everard Smith (Image: Archant)