RESIDENTS living in a technology "vacuum" in Horwich are calling for an answer on whether they will get broadband.

Homeowners on The Meadows estate, near the Middlebrook Retail Park, were promised a broadband internet connection before Christmas.

Engineers have been on site and the work was completed in March following a number of set backs.

But, while some customers are now up to speed with the modern technology, many are still encountering problems.

And Andy Maskell, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, is one of a number of residents still struggling to "get connected".

He said: "I know the engineering work has been completed, but when I have tried to order broadband I have been told that I am not able to get it and I may never get it. I just want a definitive answer from BT."

When the estate was built, in 1998, fibre optic links were installed, but these are not compatible with broadband, which means that the 250 homes on the estate have to use dial-up connections to access the internet.

Richard Hornby, another resident on the estate, collected a 50-signature petition last June to kick-start the engineering work.

He said: "We are all confused about the situation. It is ironic that BT work in communication because they don't seem to be able to tell us anything. Even when the work was completed they didn't let us know.

"One of my neighbours has got broadband, one has got equipment but cannot get connected and I'm waiting for equipment and hoping I will be able to log on."

A BT spokesman said: "The work has been completed and customers should definitely be able to get broadband. However, there is always a routine time delay between the technical work being finished and the information on the administrative ordering systems being collated and updated.

"The customers should be able to order broadband within four or six weeks."