WORCESTERSHIRE businesses say they are loving the benefits of superfast broadband as firms prepare for this year's Valentine's Day.

Around 65,000 businesses and homes are now able to access the technology as a result of the Superfast Worcestershire roll out, led by Worcestershire County Council and BT as part of the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme.

Worcestershire County Council reached its target of making faster fibre broadband available to 90 per cent of county businesses last autumn, and now more than one in three businesses, and households, have switched to superfast broadband.

Among them are firms which will be making particular use of the technology, in order to boost Valentine’s Day business, include Sidbury-based Floral Roundabout, Luxury Hampers and Gifts in Worcester, the Goldsmithy jewellers in Broadway and the Red Lion, in Holt Heath.

Lydia McPherson, from Floral Roundabout, said: "My website acts as a second shop window for me.

"Being able to quickly upload and publish photos of our beautiful flowers is incredibly important in order to keep Floral Roundabout current.

"Having a fast connection improves our productivity. We don’t have to worry about buffering and I can also process online orders and keep in touch with my suppliers more quickly."

The owner of Luxury Hampers and Gifts Ltd, Ellen Halpin-Barnett, added: "The worldwide web has enabled us to attract customers around the county and around the globe from our base here in Worcester.

“Fibre broadband is allowing us to upload and update our website with ease, share large artwork files instantly and interact with people via social media. This will help us to expand the business in ways not possible before.”

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member responsible for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: “It’s great to see businesses benefitting from a superfast broadband boost as a result of Superfast Worcestershire.

"The programme helps to ensure Worcestershire is and remains open for business.

“The importance of fibre-based broadband cannot be overstated in this digital age and is providing a real boost for the local economy.

"Having faster connectivity to the internet is crucial to business development and a major factor in the success of Worcestershire’s business community.”

Ian Binks, BT’s regional manager for Worcestershire and the West Midlands, said: “Increasingly we’re hearing how a growing number of small and medium firms are recognising the importance of putting fibre broadband at the heart of their businesses.

“Whether it’s updating a website, sourcing materials over the internet, looking for new trading opportunities and markets and around the world, or offering customers free wi-fi access – using fibre broadband makes all these things quicker and easier.”

For more details visit superfastworcestershire.com.