Broadband is a hot topic when it comes to those living in our rural towns and villages.

For many the lack of existing service hampers their day-to-day lives.

While it may be easy to suggest we don’t need the internet, our lives have become very much dependent on it - be it doing online grocery shopping, school pupils researching for their homework or businesses who depend on the internet to survive.

Many people are disappointed Maldon District Council could vote to renege on a deal to spend £45,000 on superfast broadband.

Now Woodham Walter Parish Council has written to the councillors urging them not to support the move.

They fear rural parts of the district could be put to the back of the queue.

From their perspective it could leave villages like Woodham Walter in a “second class technology zone”.

But David Sismey, chairman of the finance committee which recommended the deal is ripped up, defended the decision.

He says data shows the roll-out is falling behind schedule.

But living in a rural area shouldn’t mean you get poorer services.

Maybe councillors should take note.