The Welsh town of Penarth has gained access to BT's super-fast fibre optic broadband.

More than 8,000 businesses and homes are expected to join the high-speed broadband network once the deployment of the new internet infrastructure is complete.

Engineers are expected to finish their work in the next few weeks.

Alun Michael, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, said: "The arrival of super-fast broadband is a very important development for the town and it represents a significant investment in this area.

"I welcome the opportunity for local householders and businesses to be at the forefront of benefiting from this exciting technology."

Meanwhile, BT's director for Wales Ann Beynon claimed that the new high-speed broadband internet will support local jobs and boost Penarth's economy.

BT is expected to invest £2.5 billion in next-generation broadband internet between now and 2015.

Meanwhile, the firm's subscriber base expanded in the second quarter of 2010 and BT now has more than five million broadband customers.