RESIDENTS are being urged to provide information that could help save 28 "lifeline" public telephones in rural areas.

BT has written to Richmondshire District Council, announcing plans to remove phone boxes it says are "little used" by consumers.

It plans to post notices in the threatened public telephone boxes next month.

It a letter to the council, BT says that 60 per cent of pay phones in the UK do not cover their costs, and that the number of calls made from phone boxes has more than halved in the past three years.

Councillor Melva Steckles, leader of the district council, said: "Removing these public payphones would be yet another damaging blow to our rural communities, particularly coming so soon after the Post Office closures.

"Not everyone has a mobile phone, there isn't even any reception in many of our rural areas.

"Although they may not be used very often, public telephone boxes provide an important service. In an emergency, having a call box nearby could literally mean the difference between life and death.

"That's why it is very important that Richmondshire residents arm us with the information we need to save these phones.

"We hope as many people as possible will take a stand, and give us specific reasons why each payphone should stay."

BT requires justification for any objection to the removal of a payphone, so comments should relate to specific phone boxes, and be supported by evidence.

A spokeswoman for BT said: "We remain committed to meeting our obligation to provide a public payphone service, but the demand there once was just isn't there any more.

"Where we no longer believe a kiosk is needed, then we seek to remove it. This has been the case for a number of years, because of the continuing decline in usage.

"Where a clear social need is proved, the kiosk won't be removed.

"The consultation gives the local authority the opportunity to highlight that a particular kiosk is essential to the area, for instance if it is situated in an accident black spot."

The council has set up a website - richmondshire.gov.uk/btpayphones - where residents can respond to the proposals.

Responses, which should be received by Saturday, July 21, can also be made in writing, to Helen Harper, policy officer, Swale House, Richmond, DL10 4JE.

Is your local phone box at risk?

Richmond: Moulton, Ellerton-upon-Swale (two), East Layton, West Layton, Forcett, Ravensworth Village, Brompton-upon-Swale (two), Hudswell, Whashton, Downholme, Keld, Newsham, Gayles, Stapleton;

Leyburn: Preston-under-Scar, Wensley, East Witton, Melmerby, Askrigg (two), Newbiggin, West Burton;

Northallerton: North Cowton;

Bedale: Patrick Brompton, Hornby;

Sedbergh: Lunds.