Anne McGuire MP welcomes Bannockburn fibre broadband launch

Stirling MP Anne McGuire has welcomed the launch of fibre optic broadband in Bannockburn.

BT has rolled out the service to more than 8,000 homes and businesses in the Stirlingshire town, with the upgrades set to be finished in the coming weeks.

Ms McGuire hailed the development as great news for Bannockburn and described super-fast broadband as an "essential tool" for local businesses.

The investment comes at a time when employers need all the help they can get due to the challenging economic climate, she commented.

"I very much hope this will prove a catalyst for the expansion of our local businesses and the creation of new jobs in the area," the MP said.

As well as supporting firms, Ms McGuire expressed hope that the fibre broadband rollout will "transform the lives" of local families by giving them improved access to services such as social media, education and entertainment.

Bannockburn is not the only Scottish town to gain access to super-fast broadband this week, with BT also installing the technology in Galashiels.