Sandwich should keep its traditional red metal public phone boxes in the historic town centre.

That’s the message to BT from town councillors after hearing of proposals to withdraw 21 pay phones from the district council area.

All clerks of town and parish councils have been asked for comments before July 2 about the possible move, being made as the public phones are “little used” according to the BT.

Sandwich Town Council has been told the phone box in Dover Road is the only one on the list in its area.

Cllr Paul Carter described the structure as a vandalised wreck and said it was in an isolated position.

Councillors agreed the town centre boxes should be kept and Cllr Bernard Butcher said the traditional red boxes were part of the historic scene.

He added: “I regret the Dover Road box going, but would be loathe to find out we could eventually lose them all. We don’t want to go down that slippery slope.”

Other pay phones in the district council area on the BT list include ones in Mongeham Road at Great Mongeham, Mill Green in Eastry, Circular Road in Betteshanger, Burgress Green in Hackling and The Street, Northbourne.