PATIENTS on a hospital ward in Blackburn were forced to wait days before they could wish their relatives a Happy New Year because the payphones in their ward were out of order, it was revealed today.

The cardiac ward at Blackburn Royal Infirmary was virtually cut off because the phone boxes had not been emptied.

The problem coincided with the poor weather conditions, which made it difficult for relatives to visit, making the payphone a lifeline.

A relative, who asked not to be named, said: "I think it was very distressing for the patients. It was a real shame because some could not get in touch with their families.

"There are seriously ill people in there and because of the weather some didn't get to see their relatives. The ward staff kept telling us they were going to get the pay phone fixed but it went on for days. They let some patients use their mobile phones but not everyone had one. "

He added that a phone from another ward could have been brought in temporarily as there are two in each ward.

Ewan Dyda, trust site services manager at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, said: "I understand that the payphone on Ward D3 at Queen's Park was out of action for a few days over the New Year period because it needed emptying.

"This job is undertaken by a private company and unfortunately they were unable to come out over the holiday period. The payphone is now working and I would like to express my apologies for the inconvenience caused to patients."