Rural areas of the UK are better connected to broadband than their urban neighbours, an Ofcom report reveals.

The report shows that, for the first time, there is a greater proportion of households with broadband in the rural parts of the UK's nations and regions than there are in urban areas.

Across the UK as a whole, 59 per cent of households in rural areas now have broadband compared to 57 per cent of urban areas.

When broadband was first introduced in the UK in 2000, households in urban areas were the first to take the service, leading to concerns that a digital divide was emerging between country and built-up areas.

But the rapid rollout of broadband services across the country has meant that most parts of the UK now have access to this service and Ofcom's report marks the end of the so-called divide.

Ed Richards , Ofcom chief executive said: "Our report highlights a closing of the geographic digital divide in the UK.

"Rural households are today as well connected to broadband, as their urban neighbours."

Plymouth appears to be the Westcountry's most connected city, with 64 per cent of households having broadband.

In England as a whole, 60 per cent of rural households have broadband, 2 per cent higher than in urban areas at 58 per cent.

The gap is the same in Northern Ireland, with 54 per cent of broadband households in rural areas and 52 per cent in urban areas.

In Scotland, 59 per cent of rural households have broadband compared to 52 per cent of urban households.

The biggest difference is in Wales where 51 per cent of rural households have broadband, in contrast to 43 per cent of urban households.