A 10-YEAR-OLD boy is celebrating today after a successful five-month battle to bring high speed internet access to his village.

Backed by his father, Joshua Fisher has conducted a leafleting campaign, targeted local businesses and appealed to local MPs for help to get the 'always on' Broadband connection in Wilpshire.

Now the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School pupil has smashed his target of 400 signatures needed by BT to justify upgrading the local telephone exchange at a cost of £500,000.

It means Joshua of Whalley Road, Wilpshire, could have the new modem as early as July or August and start enjoying faster Internet connection for his X-box Live games and chatting to his brother in Canterbury. Joshua said: "I am in dream land and we are all over the moon. It is really good news. I was determined to do this!"

The facility is like a new modem, offering faster Internet access with a speedy permanent connection which allows people to make telephone calls at the same time as being logged on. It is an important tool for businesses as well as personal use.

The family's campaign has inspired many people in the village to help out. Graham and Frances McNicol at the local Post Office and Newsagent sent out leaflets with newspapers. And family friend John Forrest constructed a campaign website.

Frances said: "This campaign has been all about keeping the villages of the Ribble Valley alive and Joshua and Peter should be commended for all their hard work.

"Everyone is really behind it and we are very proud."

It also received the backing of local MP Nigel Evans.

The latest push this weekend saw Joshua targeting people in the village over the weekend outside the post office, butcher's and then the Spar in Langho, and got a further 57 people to sign up to vote for Broadband in Wilpshire, Langho, Brownhill, Ramsgreave, and Dinckley.

The total number of signatures now stands at 498.

Manager of Spar in Portland Road Philip Thomson, said: "They have put in a lot of hard work and we are very grateful. From talking to customers everyone is really pleased that we will be able to keep up with technology."

Peter has already installed an advanced satellite Internet connection and wireless computers to the house.

He added: "This is very good news for all the people we have met who work from home, or would like to work form home, who need fast Interned connection."

The final date for service will be revealed by BT next week.

Brian Crouch, regional director of BT, said: "BT has for some time recognised the importance of campaign groups in helping raise awareness of Broadband and in turn helping reach trigger levels.

"This is why we are doing as much as we can to support them.

"For such a young campaigner to be involved is remarkable. Joshua has done a sterling job and we are delighted his key role has helped get the right result."