A TAXI firm has been plagued with more phone problems a month after it was left without a working line for two weeks.

Customers were unable to call Hawaii Five-O on Friday night, the trade’s second busiest night of the week, after follow-up work went awry.

The problem occurred when a communications company tried to reduce two existing diverts put in place to temporarily resolve the original problem to one.

Christie Wettasinghe, the taxi firm’s owner, said: “This business is my baby and for more than 26 hours we were cut off.

“Shortly afterwards when we reset the system the phones did not stop ringing. It was so wonderful I did not know whether to cry or what.

Mr Wettasinghe has asked customers to be patient and reassured them Hawaii Five-O was still in business. He has also given each of his drivers £50 back from their registration fees.

"My drivers have lost a lot of money,” he said.

“They have all been supportive but they have to pay for their mortgages and cars, and feed their families too.

“People are getting tired of phoning up and not getting through.”

A further phone line update is scheduled for August 6 to remove the last divert but will be carried out on each line individually in a bid to avoid problems recurring.

To call Hawaii Five-O call 01206 543210 or 541541.