Many UK broadband users have been affected by a BT network outage, it has been reported.

According to ISPreview.co.uk, a number of broadband providers have reported service issues in recent days.

A "major service failure" is said to have impacted on customers reliant on BT's 21CN platform in southern England.

Eclipse Internet confirmed that by 14:00 on Thursday January 5th, affected broadband lines had been reconnected.

However, as a result of the incident, some customers continued to experience slower than normal broadband speeds, the firm said.

"Until BT resolves this incident, performance levels will remain lower than normal," Eclipse Internet stated.

BT recently issued a Matter Beyond Our Reasonable Control declaration, after storms battered the UK during the early part of January, causing significant network damage.