OKEHAMPTON is now more than a third of the way to the target in the race to gain Broadband access ? and the Times is this week urging businesses and residents to register their interest as soon as possible.

According to the BT-set target, there must be 300 registrations of interest in upgrading to the high-speed internet access system from the Okehampton exchange ? and the town is now standing at 113.

Lyn Roberts, general manager of the Okehampton Times, said: ?Faster internet access would bring tremendous advantages to businesses and homes in Okehampton.

?Working on-line is now a way of life and we just can?t afford to be behind everyone else ? it?s vital for our competitiveness to run our businesses on a level playing field and Broadband would go a long way to helping a rural area like ours.

?And everyone will benefit from it ? not just companies but people using the internet at home ? I really do urge everyone to register their interest now.?

A joint letter about the Broadband upgrade has been sent to all businesses in the Okehampton area from West Devon Borough Council?s ?E-champion?, Cllr Dennis Bater and the borough treasurer, Lesley Halton.

Cllr Bater said: ?It?s obviously really important for businesses because they use the internet all the time, but it would be an advantage for everyone to have faster access.

?One of the other good things about broadband is that it doesn?t block up your phone line when you want to use the internet, which causes problems when you only have one line.

?I?m sure once we do get Broadband, we?ll never know what we did without it ? it?s so easy to do, please log on and express your interest as I have done.?

To register your interest in an upgrade to Broadband, please go to http://www.bt.com/broadband">www.bt.com/broadband and follow the on-screen instructions.

The borough council has also launched a new section of its website, containing useful links about Broadband, help with registration, press releases and views on the upgrade from members and MPs.