1500 Residents in the village of Brampton, South Yorkshire are to get internet access through their televisions thanks to ONdigital and Rotherham Borough Council.

The innovative scheme, part of the Government's "Wired Communities" initiative, will use ONdigital's ONnet service, which provides internet access through the TV, to link its residents to the web and a range of education, employment and community sites. Residents will also be provided with ONdigital's digital television service through their aerials, without the need for a satellite dish or cable.

Stuart Prebble, ONdigital's Chief Executive, says "Web through the TV brings the internet to those who cannot afford a PC or who may be afraid of using a computer. The "Wired Communities" initiative gives us an opportunity to bring the significant benefits of the web to the people of Brampton in a way that is cost effective, familiar and secure. The implications of this pilot scheme could impact on the way other communities across the UK access the web in the future and I'm delighted ONdigital is able to contribute."

John Healey MP whose constituency includes Brampton and has been key in drawing together the pilot partners says "many of my constituents can't afford a computer and many are put off by the technology. By using the TV to access the web these barriers are decreased and that is particularly important for communities such as Brampton. The Government is committed to eradicating the digital divide and this initiative will play an important part in assessing which platforms and methods of web delivery are the most appropriate and cost effective. I'm delighted that ONdigital have agreed to play an important part."