Homes and businesses across south-west Scotland are set to receive fibre-optic broadband services, it has been announced.

H2O Networks has announced that its Fibrezone technology is to be installed in rural towns across the area thanks to its new agreement with South Ayrshire Council.

Businesses in the region have been told they will be able to connect to it at a lower cost than constructing a bespoke network for high-speed broadband services.

Roy Shelton, Director of H2O Networks, said the government sees fibre-optic broadband as "a key part of rebuilding the economy".

"Fibrezone customers and partners can easily connect to the fibre ring in order to benefit from unlimited super-fast connectivity at a fraction of the cost that is normally associated with these types of projects," he added.

News of the rollout of the service has come after Prince Charles told the Daily Telegraph that more effort needs to be made to ensure rural businesses have access to broadband.