Leading broadband provider TalkTalk has been celebrating digital inclusion schemes across the UK through its latest awards scheme.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw was among the guests who attended the Digital Heroes Awards, which saw 12 people from across all of the UK's regions praised for their efforts to promote broadband access.

The overall national winner, who has been named the UK Digital Hero for 2009, was Gill Farrington of Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

She has worked for the past five years to arrange IT classes in local schools for older people to learn about the web from pupils.

Charles Dunstone, Chief Executive Officer of TalkTalk, explained on the company's blog: "The scheme helps older generations to get up to speed with technology and to feel digitally included.

"But perhaps even more valuable is that the project helps both generations to better understand one another."

News of the awards has come after TalkTalk suggested the government's plans to tackle illegal filesharing could infringe on basic human rights.