THE future of superfast broadband in the Itchen Valley is set to be discussed at public meetings next week.

Fixing the area's long-standing slow internet appears to be within reach, but villagers are invited to have their say on how it is achieved.

Every home in Easton and most Itchen Abbas residents could be served with speeds of 10-80mbps by a scheme funded by BT and Hampshire County Council.

Alternatively, villagers could strike their own deal with BT Openreach, potentially getting high speeds around a year earlier at a cost of up to £30,000.

Resident volunteers are also looking at a 60mbps service being provided for Chilcomb which could be routed to Easton as early as Easter, as well as serving Itchen Abbas and Martyr Worthy.

Village hall meetings are being held to discuss the options on Wednesday in Easton and next Thursday, January 14, in Itchen Abbas. Both start at 8pm and will include a presentation by rural broadband firm Gigabeam.