A SENIOR British Telecom official has promised to listen to consultation over the proposed closure of payphones in the region.

Up to 664 payphones in the North face being removed after BT said many were financially unviable.

However, at a public meeting in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, this week, Terry Johnson, of BT, said the consultation process would listen to any arguments put forward for the retention of payphones.

In Teesdale, 31 payphones could be removed. Most are in rural areas that have poor mobile phone reception and many residents said that in emergencies, these would be the only form of communication. They said the phone boxes were also relied upon by tourists and walkers.

Mr Johnson said: "This is not the sort of consultation where we tell you they are being closed and that is it.

"The outcome could be that Teesdale District Council objects to one of the payphones that we have submitted for the proposal and we will listen to them and perhaps come to some agreement.

"However, the last thing we can afford is for BT payphones to go out of business."

The meeting was told that it cost an average of £1,650 a year to maintain a phone box.

One of the phones scheduled for removal at Cassell Bank had only taken £4.75 in the past 12 months. One at Holwick had taken £26.10.

Mr Johnson agreed to extend consultation in Teesdale to October 8 for more public meetings.