A GLOBAL internet provider has pledged to help Gourock residents affected by slow connection speeds following a campaign launched by Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan.

Mr Cowan wrote to Openreach bosses following complaints from residents in Moorfield Road about their current service.

Openreach have now confirmed they would install 'ultrafast' full fibre broadband in the area within the next 12 months.

Mr Cowan said: "I know it would have been better if we could simply wave a magic wand and provide an immediate solution to the Moorfield Road area.

"Upgrades of this nature take time, and I have a commitment from Openreach that the solution to this problem is ultrafast, so I'll take them at their word."

Mr Cowan said broadband connectivity has been one of his key issues since being elected in 2015.

In that time, Inverclyde has gone from being below the Scottish average for connectivity speed to now being well above both the Scottish and UK averages.

The average download speed in Inverclyde is 133.4 Mbps, compared with Scotland at 105.1 and the UK at 111.6.

The SNP MP said while 'great strides' have been made, there are still places where the service is not up to standard.

He said the rise in homeworking is making faster broadband a necessity.

Mr Cowan added: "Fast connection times are so important for small businesses and households.

"Openreach and the other providers I have spoken to know that people's livelihoods are being affected here."