BT works to restore broadband and phone connections

BT has set up a helpline running recorded updates at 0800 1690199.

BT has said it has managed to restore "the vast majority" of telephone and broadband services to thousands of customers affected by a network outage.

The fault was caused by "major flooding" on 31 March at an exchange in the west of London.

It had a knock-on effect around the UK with people on various broadband and phone networks affected.

The firm said that work would continue through the evening of the 02 April "until all services are restored".

"Any customers needing to make calls to the emergency services who have a problem using their phones are advised to do so by using their mobile phone, or alternatively by using a friend or neighbour's working phone," BT said in a statement.

"A number of mobile services are also affected so customers may not be able to make or receive calls on their mobile or may experience an intermittent service."

Telecoms company Gradwell told the BBC that 437 exchanges around Britain were affected by the incident.

Readers of the BBC News website reported that bars and shops in the surrounding area were only accepting cash on March 31 as card payment systems had crashed.