BY tomorrow it could be good to talk again for 36 BT customers whose telephones have been out of action since last week.

The first faults were reported in Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, on Friday, but it could be at least tomorrow or Thursday before homes are reconnected.

BT has apologised for the lack of service and says it will negotiate compensation with individual subscribers.

Workmen called out over the weekend hoped to be able to fix the fault quickly. They started work to replace 240 metres of cable, but found a blockage in a duct carrying the telephone line.

A BT spokesman said yesterday: "We had people working over the weekend, but when they found that the duct was blocked they came to a halt until they could get contractors in to dig underground.

"This was not a quick repair and not one we could possibly have completed in 24 hours.

"Customers are entitled to talk to us about compensation on a one-to-one basis once the repair work has been done."

Freelance journalist George Lambelle has been unable to use his phone or send or receive e-mails since Friday.

He said: "I called BT on Saturday morning and was told the fault would be repaired in 24 hours. I phoned again on Sunday and there was a recorded message.

"It is very frustrating. Not everybody has a mobile phone. Everybody who has a phone has it because they need it."