BUSINESS leaders are to be consulted on whether to save a traditional red telephone box in a market town from the axe.

BT wants to remove the kiosk in Bedale Market Place, as it is deemed as having very low usage.

The telephone company has offered Bedale town council the chance to ‘adopt’ the phone box and for just £1.

It would be transferred to the town council’s ownership, the telephone facilities would be removed and it would then be up to the town council to decide what to do with it.

Red phone boxes in other parts of the country have been turned into art galleries, book exchanges and even as a storage facility for emergency first aid equipment.

BT is offering town and parish councils the opportunity to take over the running of the kiosks as an alternative to removal, saying there is a "huge fondness" for the iconic red phone box design.

Councillor Ellen Dunning was concerned that the phone box could become a financial burden on the town council, particularly if it was vandalised.

Mayor Amanda Coates said she would like to keep it.

Coun Carol Clark suggested a consultation with local businesses and other interested parties, to see what the strength of feeling was, and whether there were any ideas on how the phone box could benefit the community.

Members agreed with her suggestion and will consider any feedback at a future meeting.