Hundreds who had their phones lines cut after severe storms might miss out on compensation because of British Telecom company policy.
Customers expecting money reimbursed after BT engineers took a week to fix a service in Panfield might be disappointed.
They have been told they only qualify for compensation if they reported the fault individually and will be only reimbursed from the day they reported it.
A BT spokesman said affected customers should have followed small print in the company's terms and conditions to receive a payout.
Customers were left without phone lines after an underground cable was flooded and damaged during last week's storms.
The spokesman said: "Basically, we do not know there is a problem with a customer's line until they tell us, even if there is a big problem. It does not always correspond that everyone is affected by the same problem."
Angry Panfield resident Steve Daynes, of Queens Gardens, criticised the policy. He said many residents, including the elderly, were not able to complain and asked someone to do it for them.
Published Friday July 16, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article