Sharrington Residents Fight BT's Plan to Disconnect Phone Box

Residents of Sharrington, Norfolk, are engaged in a passionate campaign to save their historic red phone box from BT's plans for disconnection due to its low usage of just nine calls last year. Led by 89-year-old Derek Harris, villagers argue that the phone box is a vital resource for the elderly population and visitors, particularly in an area with unreliable mobile signal. BT has offered to sell the phone box to the community for £1 and suggested alternative uses, but locals insist they want it to remain as a functioning phone. The phone box, a K6 model designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, is seen as a cherished part of the village's heritage. Local authorities, including the parish council, are supporting the campaign and have highlighted that under Ofcom regulations, the box cannot be removed if criteria regarding distance to the nearest kiosk and call volume are met. The villagers are determined to fight for what they consider a lifeline for both residents and tourists alike.