British Telecom has set its sights on removing five "underused" payphones from the streets of Brentwood in a bid to cut costs.

The telecoms giant says an increasing number of its phones are costing more to maintain than they are worth and it can no longer subsidise all of the loss-making call boxes around the county.

It blames the proliferation of mobile phones for the fact that some call boxes, particularly those in quieter areas, are becoming obsolete.

However Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles has attacked the plans for once again hitting the people who are most vulnerable and targeting those in rural areas.

He said: "My view is that this is very damaging to rural life, very damaging to public safety and very damaging to the image of BT.

"I understand and appreciate mobile phone ownership is widespread but their are two kinds of people who are going to be hit hardest by this.

"Firstly people in rural areas who need to make a call in an emergency and secondly people who simply cannot afford a mobile phone. Once again it's the people on the margins who will be affected."

BT has pledged to subsidise and keep 11 loss-making phones in the borough but is proposing, by the end of 2005, the removal of boxes:

Opposite no.51 Crown Street, Brentwood

Near the junction of Gloucester Road and Cornwall Road, Pilgrims Hatch

Outside no.26 Claughton Way, Hutton

Outside 35 Brook Street, Brentwood

Next to 135 Hunter Avenue, Shenfield

BT's director of payphones Paul Hendron said parish and borough council's would be approached for their input before a final decision was made.

Published Thursday August 12, 2004

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