MORE than 800 extra homes in Halton can now upgrade their broadband service.

Sandymoor has been connected to fibre broadband as part of the £28.5 million Connecting Cheshire project.

So far, 2,887 homes in Halton now have faster IT access . More connections are in the pipeline for 2015.

Halton Council leader, Clr Rob Polhill, said: “Work in Halton is well underway and more of our residents and businesses are getting the chance to upgrade to fibre broadband, which will have real benefits for them.

“Our roll-out will be continuing and more areas in the borough will be able to upgrade soon.”

Halton Clrs John and Marjorie Bradshaw from Daresbury ward, said: "Fibre broadband coming to Sandymoor is great news.

“We are pleased that residents can now upgrade and take advantage of improved and faster broadband. It will be a real boon for private users and even better for those working from home."

Sandymoor resident Mike Gibbons said he can now spend more time working from home where his fibre broadband speed is faster than his office.

Mr Gibbons, managing director of Definteco Ltd based in Runcorn, said: “We’ve now gone from 5Mbps to 75Mbps and the difference has been huge.

"With two teenage daughters, we are heavy users of social media, streaming films and catch-up TV.

“It’s all now happening instantly, whereas before fibre it was a slow and frustrating process keeping everyone online and entertained.

"For my business things are now much better. I can upload and download large files and technical drawings, video conference with clients.

“As I travel a lot, my family can now keep in touch with me via video calls wherever I’m working.”

His company specialises in the design and project management of integrated technology solutions, including audio visual systems, security, and data networks, for installation onto super yachts worldwide.

Connecting Cheshire is a partnership of four councils, Halton, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington.

The £28.5m project will provide fibre broadband to more than 80,000 homes and businesses.

This builds on BT’s commercial investment so that 96 percent of Cheshire - around 400,000 premises - will have access to speeds of up to 80Mbps by the end of 2015.