Farron encourages constituents to enter TalkTalk Digital Awards

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has urged his constituents to nominate deserving candidates for the upcoming Digital Heroes Awards.

The awards see the Daily Mirror, Citizens Online and Go ON UK come together to celebrate those using digital technology in order to create social changes in their local area. The overall winner will receive a £10,000 prize to benefit their technological projects, with twelve runners-up awarded £5,000. This year also introduces a category for those aged 18 years and under.

With so many innovative broadband projects in our area Tim believes that this competition is a great opportunity to fund new and existing advances in digital technology, whilst reiterating the need to campaign for super-fast broadband across Cumbria.

Tim was a key member of the team that helped secure the original £23.8 million funding from BDUK and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for the roll out of the broadband scheme. Tim has also been calling for Cumbria to be the first county to be a 4G area.

He has previously raised concerns about the project's progress, calling on the County Council to make sure that the broadband rollout project does not become a 'White Elephant' and that Cumbria gets thesuperfast broadband it needs. With Fujitsu pulling out only BT remain as the only bidder for the contract.

Commenting, Tim said: "There are so many leaders in digital technology in our area and this competition is their chance to get the recognition that they deserve. It also highlights our continuing efforts to bring superfast broadband to the whole of Cumbria. These awards celebrate inspirational people who utilise their knowledge, skills and ingenuity to benefit local communities and I am proud to offer them my support."

Visit www.talktalk.co.uk/digitalheroes to make a nomination. The deadline for entries is 14 September 2012.