BUCKDEN could soon have improved mobile coverage.

The village has applied to Vodafone’s Open Sure Signal programme which provides a 3G signal to areas with geographical challenges meaning a signal from mobile phone masts struggles to reach them.

Following support from Skipton MP Julian Smith, Buckden applied to Vodafone and the village is now on the shortlist to have the improved mobile connection installed.

The news was announced at an event at the Houses of Parliament, attended by Buckden's community champion Peter Vetch, Mr Smith and Communications Minister Ed Vaizey.

Mr Smith said: “I was delighted to be able to support Buckden’s application to the programme from Vodafone and pleased that it is now on the shortlist to have the work carried out. I will be encouraging the telephone company to choose the village to ensure its residents and businesses have better access to mobile phone coverage which so many of us now take for granted.”

The Rural Open Sure Signal 100 programme is a national initiative by Vodafone UK to provide reliable mobile access to up to 100 rural communities in mobile "not-spot" locations.

Jeroen Hoencamp, Vodafone UK chief executive, said: “I’m excited about the transformation this pioneering programme could bring to the community.

"The communities who have worked with us to introduce Open Sure Signal have all told us how life has improved markedly, from the ability to make an appointment at the local doctor to telling their families they are running late for lunch.

"We are committed to investing hugely in our network and using innovative technologies such as Sure Signal to provide coverage to rural communities means we can reach areas where it’s been impossible to reach using traditional means.”

As well as using Rural Open Sure Signal to plug rural “not-spots”, Vodafone is spending more than £1 billion on its network and services across the country, including extending its 4G coverage to 395 cities and towns and thousands of smaller communities across the UK