MALVERN has lost its top spot in a national race to win superfast broadband access for the town.

Although the town is still one of the top 10 communities in BT's Race to Infinity competition - only the top five will get the high-speed upgrade.

The winners will be the towns that gets the most votes, so Malvern people are being urged to go online and make their voices heard.

Businessman Chris Marks, co-director of Iapetus Gallery on Belle Vue Terrace, is one of those urging local people to vote.

He said: "From a business point of view, to have a fast broadband access would mean it would be easier for people to shop with us online.

"Broadband in Malvern is not great, It's OK but not fantastic, so it would be great if we could get that upgrade.

"Another reason is that it would make Malvern more attractive to high-tech businesses. If a business is looking for somewhere to locate, and it has the choice of a town with great broadband and one without, it will choose the first one. "

John Petter of BT said: “Thousands have voted, but there is still a long way to go before we reach the finishing line and everything to play for. So please vote now and don't forget to spread the word by passing it on to your friends on Facebook and Twitter to get your area to the top of the scoreboard."

The voting deadline is December 31. The five winning areas will be upgraded by early 2012 at the latest. People can vote by visiting www.bt.com/racetoinfinity, going to “vote now” and entering their details.