A new service is set to revolutionise the way BT deals with small and medium sized enterprises in the city.

The service, which is called BT Local Business in Bradford, is run by a family firm that is licensed to trade under the BT brand and sell BT products.

Ascendant Communications Ltd, which is owned by Joe Pitts and Andrew Keefe, is one of just 12 businesses in the UK to be picked to deliver the service.

Research revealed the majority of SMEs prefer doing business with other similar sized organisations.

It also found most SMEs like to do business with brands they are familiar with.

BT chose Bradford as one of the places to roll out the scheme as the city has a high number of small local firms - more than 9,200 employing 50 people or less.

Ascendant Communications Ltd, which has seven staff, will initially work with between 10,000 and 13,000 existing BT customers, operating independently but with the full support of BT.

Its target customers range from one-person businesses offering a single product or service, to multi-line companies with 50 employees.

The BT research found these type of companies tend to prefer trading locally and with other SMEs.

BT says the service will help it develop a strong local presence and improve its response times to businesses throughout Bradford.

Joe Pitts said: "We have found during a trial period that customers are enthusiastic about the BT Local Business proposition.

"They see the benefits of the trusted BT brand and welcome the support and expertise that our BT Local Business can provide.

"We're giving them a single local point of contact for all their telecoms and IT requirements, taking the hassle out of technology."

Pierre Danon, chief executive officer BT Retail, added: "SMEs are vital to the UK economy and BT is continually looking for ways in which to support the sector's growth.

"The flexibility of the products and services that BT offers lends itself ideally to the creation of BT Local Businesses and supports our on-going aim of providing hassle-free IT solutions to SMEs."

For further information about BT Local Business in Bradford contact (01274) 600700.