A partnership to provide 90,000 homes and business with superfast broadband has reached 80% of its target.

The Superfast Dorset partnership has made fibre broadband available to more than 72,000 households and businesses in the county.

The achievement means it is 80% of the way towards its goal of reaching 90,000 Dorset premises by the end of 2017.

A new fibre broadband cabinet between the rural village of Moor Crichel and Witchampton was the 400th to be installed in the county.

Local county councillor Steve Butler said the Superfast Dorset partnership was bringing 21st century communication to some of the more rural corners of the county.

"Completing the 400th cabinet is a great milestone to reach as we see in 2016, and as the year progresses, even more people will be able to access the benefits."

BT regional manager Paul Coles said superfast fibre broadband technology was transforming the way rural people live and work.

"Whether you are starting a business, learning online or just browsing the internet for bargains, you can do it more effectively and faster with fibre broadband."

Speeds don't improve automatically once fibre has been laid – homes and businesses need to contact their provider to order the superfast service.

Even so, when BT's commercial broadband offering is added into the mix, it means about 330,000 Dorset households and businesses can now order a fibre connection.

The number of households and businesses in the county which can get faster, more reliable broadband as a result of the project is growing every week.

Residents can check their connection and sign up for an email when fibre is available in their postcode by visiting www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast.