Villagers see red over phone removal

Contractors for BT removed the last red box from Gotham about two weeks ago, leaving behind only a modern phone.

The company says the traditional phone box was uneconomical.

But Kevin Thorpe, from Gotham Parish Council, said residents want the old-fashioned booth.

"It just disappeared while negotiations were still taking place," he said.

"All we are asking for is for the red phone box to be replaced in the centre of the village here."

Until recently Gotham had two red phone boxes - now it has none.

'Improve environment'

"I don't believe they would have taken away these beautiful 1930s phone boxes from a place like the Cotswolds, but they don't mind taking them away from us at Gotham.

"We may not be the prettiest town around, but we are trying to improve our environment and need all the help we can get."

However Les King, from BT, said keeping the old style phone box was uneconomical and it would not be returned to Gotham.

"The idea is to cut our costs so we can maintain a comprehensive, nationwide pay phone service so to spend literally more than £10,000 on one kiosk doesn't make sense.

"Unfortunately as part of the review, there are a few red boxes that will go... people are simply not using them, are not using the basic payphone service any more."