Free wireless internet access should be available to all residents in Lancashire, it has been claimed.

Three MPs - Nigel Evans, Lindsay Hoyle and David Borrow – have claimed that the area should become the UK's first Wi-Fi county by following the example of a scheme launched in Swindon earlier this year.

According to the Blackburn Citizen, it is hoped the move would ensure broadband is widely available across the region.

Talking to the newspaper, Mr Evans said internet access has become as essential to households and businesses as food and water.

He added: "This Wi-Fi scheme is the only way of overcoming the issues. I am confident that we can make it work."

Recent figures published by Ofcom found that 23 per cent of businesses in the UK are affected by unreliable internet connections, while 15 per cent would like access to improved speeds.

Nine out of ten firms were also found to have web connections.