CAMPAIGNERS hoping to upgrade Kirkbymoorside's internet speed are celebrating after passing a landmark figure - while other communities in Ryedale are also hoping to drum up support.

BT had set a target of 500 registrations for Kirkbymoorside before it would consider setting a date for upgrading the local telephone exchange - a target which the town passed last Wednesday.

Residents wanting broadband are now waiting for a date to be set when the exchange will be enabled.

The target was one of the highest in the country and was met when Peter Mortlock, the campaign organiser, was swamped with registrations after a leaflet drop in the town and surrounding villages.

He said: "I always thought we would reach the target but never dreamed it would be this quick."

When the exchange is enabled, the businesses and residents on the 01751 43XXXX exchange will be able to receive an 'always on' internet service that is about ten times faster than at present and doesn't tie up the phone preventing normal calls.

Mr Mortlock would still like anyone interested in bringing broadband internet to the Kirkbymoorside area to register at www.kirkbymoorside-broadband.co.uk or by ringing (01751) 430374.

He said: "The more registrations we submit, the sooner the exchange is likely to be enabled."

Other communities in the region are also bidding to have their exchanges upgraded. Of those, Sheriff Hutton is closest to reaching its target of 150, with 70 having already signed up - just under 50pc.

At Whitwell-on-the-Hill, 61 have signed up, with a total of 200 needed. In Kirby Misperton, 27 out of 100 have signed up, with 39 out of 150 having signed up at Ampleforth.

In Burythorpe, a target of 100 has been set, with 28 having signed up. At Lastingham, 36 out of 150 have registered their interest.

Just over a fifth of the required total of 200 have signed up at Sherburn, with Hovingham also registering around a fifth of its target, also of 200.

Lastly, 67 out of 400 have registered in Helmsley, 37 out of 200 in Rillington and just six out of 100 in Coneysthorpe.

A number of campaigns are running in these areas. To register and offer your support, contact the following:

Hovingham: Michael Booth at michael2002york@yahoo.co.uk.

Whitwell-on-the-Hill: Keiron Corbett, teegan01@msn.com.

Kirby Misperton: Michael Nesfield, MachOne@nesfield.freeserve.co.uk.

Ampleforth: Geoff Walker, geoff@thirklewood.co.uk or www.ryedale2000.co.uk.

Burythorpe: Leo Caves, lsdc1@york.ac.uk.

Lastingham: Paul Langham, paul-langham@msn.com.

Sherburn: Arran Alec Scott, jackass249@hotmail.com or www.broadband@staxton.co.uk.

Helmsley: Andrew Smith, andrew@broadbandforhelmsley.co.uk or www.broadbandforhelmsley.co.uk.

Rillington: Dominic Gardner, dominic@gardner58.freeserve.co.uk.

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, December 17, 2003