RESIDENTS were without their phones for three weeks after lines went dead when a 90-metre overhead cable blew down in heavy winds at Baxenden.

BT is considering compensating customers and apologised for any inconvenience. But it said the repair work was considerable.

Three rows of terrace homes in Manchester Road and Ashworth Street lost their BT lines on Saturday, March 20, said resident Allan Pilkington, who was not reconnected until Wednesday.

Mr Pilkington, of Manchester Road, said BT engineers initially weighed down the fallen cable on the road, allowing traffic to cross.

A week later, he said, they came to cut the cable and then left. He called BT the following Tuesday, asking what was to happen next.

"I left a few details on an answer phone and BT said they were investigating it. The next day, I got a text message saying they'd keep me informed.

"Later in the week, I got another call saying they would do something about it. Then last Thursday (April 1) an engineer rang to say the work would be done on Monday of this week.

"But they still didn't turn up. It got beyond a joke. You wouldn't think it would take so long."

He said he was annoyed with BT's customer inquiry system of answerphones and keypad options, saying: "There's nobody to talk to. Or if you ring the operator, they don't know anything about it."

And he was also worried about the cost incurred to him and others by having to use a mobile telephone for outgoing calls. "It costs 30p per minute. I've been on the line for minutes at a time and calls are costing me £1.50.

"If you're a pensioner, you don't want to pay a lot of money for calls. And there are lots of elderly people living in these streets, who depend on telephones. I think 20 households must be affected," said 75-year-old Mr Pilkington.

BT engineers from Stockport arrived at Baxenden again on Wednesday and Mr Pilkington was reconnected by the afternoon.

A BT spokeswoman said 20 customers were affected and apologised for any inconvenience. adding that compensation claims by individual customers would be considered, depending on contracts and circumstances.

She said Mr Pilkington might be eligible for outgoing calls costs, while rebates were available for those who did not use mobile telephones.

Some residents, such as Mr Pilkington, had opted to have their incoming calls diverted to mobile telephones, she said.