ACCESS to high speed internet in Lancaster district is patchy to say the least, says Lancaster's Chamber of Commerce.

And that means city busi-nesses are being blocked from taking advantage of benefits enjoyed by many of their competitors.

So the chamber is to host a free breakfast seminar for firms having problems accessing Broadband or wanting to know how to speed up their e-commerce activities.

The Benefits of Broadband - to be held on May 21 at the chamber's city centre office - will be the first in a series of short technology seminars organised by UK-Online in partnership with the chamber.

"It is a chance to learn more about how new technology could improve business as well as finding out what advice and support is available to small and medium sized enterprises," says chamber manager Ann Morris.

"We are conscious that access to broadband across the district is fairly patchy. Many businesses are prevented from exploiting the opportunities which the internet can provide because of inaccessibility to high-speed internet connection. This event will address these issues."

For more information and to reserve a free place at the seminar, call 01524-381331.