A councillor’s push to remove an old phone booth has been approved after residents complained it attracted anti-social behaviour.

The phone box, which is a 1980s BT style one, is located on the corner of Jotmans Lane and High Road in Benfleet, and residents say it has become a magnet for vandalism.

Castle Point Council and BT are planning to remove the phone box, which has been out of action for years, in autumn.

Conservative councillor Andrew Sheldon, representing Benfleet, said: “I have received many complaints from residents who said the phone booth has become a target of vandalism, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

“If it’s not beneficial to the community then it should be removed.

“I have spoken to British Telecommunications to schedule for it to be removed in autumn. We also need UK Network to disconnect the electricity supply before the works can happen.

“The phone booth has been here for quite a while, and it has been out of action for some time too.”

Residents supported Mr Sheldon’s push to remove the phone box as they believe phone booths have become obsolete since the emergence of mobile phones.

Richard Jackson, 38, of Benfleet, said that the council should get rid of the phone box because it is no longer used. He said: “I agree with the council’s decision to get rid of it.

“It’s just a carcass of a phone booth and it’s been out of action for a while.

“But phone booths do get ruined smashed and vandalised. In my opinion they shouldn’t be around anymore because people don’t use them.

“I used to use them when I was young but since mobile phones have come about I have stopped using them.

“I can understand if the phone booth has been converted to some other use and we want to keep it. And to be honest if it’s one of those vintage red ones I think we should keep them.

“Since this one is repeatedly vandalised it’s not worth it and it costs money to repair.”

The Echo asked Castle Point Council and BT to respond to requests for comment but there was no response at the time of going to press.