A new super-fast fibre-optic broadband network is to be introduced in Cornwall in the near future, it has been revealed.

In an interview with Business Cornwall magazine, Kevin Lavery, chief executive of the region's council, announced that the new service is being provided to help businesses in the area.

He explained that an agreement on the implementation of the network is still at the procurement stage, but it is hoped progress will be made quickly.

"By the end of the year we will announce a preferred bidder to develop a super-fast broadband network in Cornwall that will be the best in the UK," he told the publication.

"We're talking about for larger companies a gigabyte of speed which is incredibly fast, which will put Cornwall in a great place to do internet business anywhere in the world."

Last week, it was announced that Devon County Council had commissioned a new report into broadband speeds in the south-west of England.