LATCHINGDON is set to have its historic phone box removed after BT confirmed it has only been used ten times in the past year.

The phone box on Burnham Road has stood for more than ten years, yet a lack of use has caused phone company BT have proposed for it to be moved.

BT’s review of payphones include the removal of around 31 in the Maldon district.

A spokesman said: “BT is carrying out an ongoing review of payphones which we believe are no longer needed. We have written to the local authorities proposing the removal of around 31 payphones in Maldon.

“None of these payphones will be removed without the consent of the local authority.

“BT is committed to providing a public payphone service, but with usage declining by over 90 per cent in the last decade, we’ve continued to review and remove payphones which are no longer needed.”

Sarah Sayer, Latchingdon Parish Council Clerk, said: “In a way it’s a bit sad to see a more historic part of the village to go, but you can’t argue against the figures.

“If it had been used around 20 times a month there would be more cause for it to stay, but ten a year isn’t defendable.

“It was hit many times by vandals over the past few years, if anything it’s just a target now.”