Thousands of residents, schools and businesses are being given a helping hand with their internet bills during the national lockdown.

Wessex Internet, the Blandford-based internet provider, has announced that it will double the data availability for its existing customers on limited data tariffs during January and February free of charge.

Hector Gibson Fleming, Managing Director, said: “This is a tough time of year for everybody.

“Due to the increasing number of people working from home, children who are home schooling, people who are shielding and businesses that are operating under difficult conditions it is anticipated that more data will be used during this period.

“We want to take the pressure off and give something back to our valued customers.”

Wessex Internet provided the same offer during last year’s national lockdown.

It is contacting existing customers who are on limited data tariffs individually to inform them of the good news.

Wessex Internet is an independent ISP (internet service provider) that uses its proprietary fibre network to deliver ultrafast broadband to Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and beyond.

The company delivers ultrafast internet to thousands of customers whose copper to fibre upgrade was deemed uncommercial by the rest of the telecoms industry.

The network consists of more than 150 wireless masts and over 1,500km (932 miles) of fibre delivering ultrafast fibre and wireless coverage to more than 3,500 customers across Dorset, South Wiltshire, South Somerset and parts of Hampshire.