Communities across Ceredigion will be able to log onto superfast broadband by the end of the year as part of a £425m project to roll out hi-tech internet connections across Wales.

Parts of Aberystwyth are already linked up with Llangrannog and Pontsian due to join in September, followed by Aberporth, Cardigan, Llechryd, New Quay, Newcastle Emlyn and Ponterwyd by Christmas with Aberaeron and Llanarth coming on-line by next March.

Llangrannog and Rhydlewis are within the scope of the project but details will be announced later.

Ceri Fitpatrick from Superfast Cymru told this week's full council meeting that the Wales initiative was the largest in the UK.

She said it would revolutionise how people used their computers and would have benefits for small businesses.

"Ceredigion is remote and rural but why should it be penalised with broadband connections?" she said.

She added that the project would see superfast broadband reaching 96% of Welsh homes by the time the project finishes in 2016.

"The scale is absolutely vast - it is equivalent to building three Millennium Stadiums," she said.

She added that a similar scheme in Cornwall had seen six out of ten local businesses reporting an increase in trade.

"In Wales we want it to be ten out of ten," she said.

Residents can register with the Superfast Cymru website - superfastcymru.com - to find out when their community is going live.

Council chairman Cllr John Adams-Lewis said: "It's very good news for Ceredigion and we look forward to the work being completed."