Around 10,000 Shropshire residents will get free broadband under new plans by the local council.

Residents living in Brookside housing estate in Telford could be given free WiFi as part of a multi-million pound scheme which aims to help people find jobs and boost their education using the web.

Councillor Shaun Davies, for Telford & Wrekin Council, told the Shropshire Star: “Free WiFi across the estate is part of our £6 million investment.

"It presents job opportunities, children can do their homework and people can work from home. It’s win win. People who have currently got a broadband account can use the free WiFi."

He added that giving people broadband access is 'key' to regeneration.

The next step of the plans is to consult with local residents.

The UK government has warned that the nation is at risk of digital divide if more is not done to get people connected to the internet.

Data shows that of the 10.2 million adults in the UK who have never even used the internet, four million are considered digitally excluded.