I RANG BT to ask if they could fit me another white-box phone socket about four feet from the one I have.

I have a special telephone which Hyndburn Council installed. I have fallen a couple of times and, as I live alone, it is a bit frightening, but with the phone I feel a lot safer now.

But as I have only one white box, there are now three plugs in it and they keep coming out.

When I rang BT to ask about another box, I was told it would be £145 to fit a two-bob box. I explained that my life could depend on it, but to no avail -- it's £145 or no box.

I am 70, partially sighted and disabled, but to BT I am just a number.

I have just received a medal for serving in the forces during the Suez crisis of 1952-54. Maybe I could sell it and get another box.

D ASPDEN, Butts Mount, Great Harwood.