BT have been acting as 'Scrooges' for three years by refusing to fix a light in a historic red K6 phone box.

That's the accusation of campaigners who have been asking the communications giant to switch on the light in the kiosk on the corner of Castle Hill and Victoria Park, Dover.

Residents want BT to fix lighting at historic telephone box

Despite an electric street light illuminating the path outside, it was certainly a return to the Victorian era for payphone user Bob Mouland on Thursday night - he had to bring his own lantern to see his way around the listed icon.

Mr Mouland, who even dressed the part as Mr Scrooge, found he had been 'out-scrooged' by the company when he stepped inside.

He said: "It's almost like being in the Victorian era with no lighting."

But since Kentonline stepped in and asked the company to explain why they've ignored the campaigners' pleas, the lunged into action and arranged for an engineer to visit on Monday - only to have to cancel because of Tier 4 restrictions.

Graham Wanstall, ward councillor and a campaigner for the iconic phone boxes, told us BT won't replace the light because there is already a street lamp lighting the street outside.

We witnessed for ourselves that the lamp post's bulb is only strong enough to dimly light the pavement.

Our reporter had to use a torch to even be able to film Mr Mouland inside and she attests to concerns that anyone using the phone in hours of darkness risks injury.

But they insisted last night that it was a supply issue.

Cllr Wanstall said: "As a campaigner for K6 telephone boxes and local ward councillor I've been trying to persuade BT Payphones to fix the light in this listed K6 for more than three years.

"They've consistently refused to do so for no apparent reason and it's really got so frustrating so we've come here with Mr Scrooge tonight to highlight the fact they are more of a Scrooge than Mr Scrooge himself.

"I've appealed to BT Payphones to now, in the spirit of Christmas, to fix this light."

A BT spokesperson said on Friday: “We are aware of a phone box in Victoria Park that requires a new light fitting. An engineer will be sent to repair this box on Monday.”

But today he added that engineers are prioritising national infrastructure issues while London and the South east are in Tier 4 and the company will return to this issue when it is safe to do so

Read more: All the latest news from Dover