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

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

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

In a letter to the council, BT said that 60 per cent of payphones in the UK did not cover their costs, and that the number of calls made from phone boxes had more than halved in the past three years.

Council leader Councillor Melva Steckles 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 is not 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 is 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 BT spokeswoman 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 will not 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 blackspot."

The council has set up a website - richmondshire.gov.uk/bt payphones - where people can respond to the proposals.

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

* Share your views on the closures by going to northern echo.co.uk/forum and joining the debate with other Northern Echo readers.

PAYPHONES threatened with removal are:

Richmond area: Moulton, Ellerton-upon-Swale (two), East Layton, West Layton, Forcett, Ravensworth Village, Bromptonupon- Swale (two), Hudswell, Whashton, Downholme, Keld, Newsham, Gayles, Stapleton. Leyburn area: Preston-under- Scar, Wensley, East Witton, Melmerby, Askrigg (two), Newbiggin, West Burton. Northallerton area: North Cowton. Bedale area: Patrick Brompton, Hornby. Sedbergh area: Lunds.