Businesses, charities and social enterprises in Croydon can win up to £3,000 to help boost broadband speeds under a new scheme.

Croydon has been selected as one of six boroughs for the first phase of the Greater London Authority Superconnected Cities Voucher scheme.

It will award vouchers to cover instilllation costs of leased lines for small to medium sized businesses and charitable organisations, offering download speeds if up to 30Mbps.

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell said: “Faster and more reliable broadband connections boost businesses and help them to grow.

“High speed broadband will play a key part in the future of Croydon’s HiTech City strategy.”

Paul Barnett, director of Croydon-based internet service provider ICUK, said: “This scheme is a great way to improve broadband speeds and reliability for businesses across Croydon.

“Often, small and medium enterprises can be put off by the high installation costs, but with the voucher covering them, leased lines suddenly become more accessible to everyone.”

The voucher scheme is running until March 2015.

For more information and to apply, click here.