MANY of us probably have not used a telephone box for some considerable time.

The explosion of the mobile phone industry means they are largely obsolete in towns and cities because so many people have their own means of communication.

But there are still many areas, including significant parts of the Ribble Valley, where mobile phones do not work and telephone boxes perform a vital function.

They provide a lifeline in such rural areas particularly for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

If they become stranded through vehicle breakdowns and help is needed quickly, call boxes, or emergency-style motorway phones are essential.

For these reasons the concern raised over BT plans to close 23 of the 77 public phone boxes in the borough is understandable.

Rural areas have suffered particularly hard in recent years from cuts in public transport and other services.

As a business, BT has social responsibilities but also needs to make a profit for shareholders.

But between them the local authority and BT must come to an agreement that will ensure these phone boxes in isolated areas remain in use. They could quite easily be lifesavers.