BT has asked residents to remove books from a neglected phone box that was recently transformed into an open library.

Wayne Dixon, who created the library on Blackburn Road, Darwen, said that he felt "responsible" to remove the items after a polite notice from BT was put up asking for it to be returned to its previous state.

Mr Dixon said: "I'm sorry to those who have benefitted from this idea. I did write to the BT chief executive in Blackburn asking for help to improve other neglected phone boxes.

"I also asked them if I, or they, could start to paint the rusty and shabby BT wire boxes in our community. I also told them I'd take the library down if they disapproved but I never got a response."

Mr Dixon went on to say that none of the items inside the phone box are fixed permanently and that there is no obstruction to the receiver and that an engineer could easily move things around to gain access to the wires.

However, upon seeing the notice from BT, he said he feels "responsible" to take it all away.

Lancashire Telegraph: BOOKS: Mr Dixon creatively used the phone box to host a libraryBOOKS: Mr Dixon creatively used the phone box to host a library

Explaining his decision to transform the box, he said: "I saw it unused and neglected with no window or door. It was adding to the look of decay in the area. It was being used as a toilet and somewhere to inject heroin or users to call their dealers. It was an eyesore.

"I gave it a new life and put a smile on a lot of faces."

The BT notice reads: "Are these your things? We love the creative way you've used this space, but unfortunately the payphone here is still in use.

"The phone box needs to be kept clear so people can make calls and our engineers can carry out tests and repairs.

"If you could remove the items you've stored here, we'd really appreciate it. Thanks for your help."

Darwen residents were quick to leap to Mr Dixon's defence, with many echoing his sentiments about the phone box being an "eyesore" and "unused".

Katie Haworth said: "The phone box was an eyesore and I honestly never saw anyone use it. Once Wayne and his team took it under their wing, I saw people walking down the main road with books, stopping to chat outside the phone box and each time I drove past it, it made me smile.

"Given the cutbacks to the local library, I think free books can only have been a good thing. Such a small space created such happiness."

Gary Firth said: "It's disappointing BT are taking this stance. It's clearly an asset to the community that is causing no harm or inconvenience. To ask for it to be removed just seems mean spirited."

Nicola Quinn said: "It's sad to see BT's response to our community library. My daughter is 6 and rides her bike down the main road and she loves to call in at the phone box library to see what new kids books are available to borrow.

"I've had a few books out of it myself. It will be a shame to see what is essentially an unused space go to waste yet again."

Corinne Surkitt added: "I'm a massive believer in the broken window theory. Once an area looks unloved, it can quickly deteriorate.

"By improving the area, it has the opposite effect and people generally start to take more pride in it. I hate to think that one of the good things to come out of this last 18 months is threatened by a short-sighted move from BT."