VILLAGERS in the Ribble Valley have decided to adopt their red telephone booth for the princely sum of just £1.

Wiswell residents decided to adopt the quintessential symbol of village life in England as it was facing an uncertain future because no one was using it.

The historic red telephone box in Moor Lane, once the only means of communication for people in remote rural locations, has been rendered almost obsolete in the information age.

The familiar red booths are becoming increasingly less popular with the use of mobile phones but instead of just removing them from Britain’s streets, BT decided to give councils the chance to buy them with the telecommunication equipment removed.

BT is offering seven parish councils, including Billington and Langho, Clitheroe, and Mellor the opportunity to adopt 10 kiosks.

Bosses at the phone company said the phone boxes on offer are not being used enough and cost too much to maintain.

Now, Wiswell Parish Council has decided to adopt its kiosk which is located in a memorial garden and maintain it as a historical relic.

Robert Thompson, ward councillor, said: “In our parish the phone box is a dominant landmark feature and the general consensus amongst residents is that it would be better to keep it.”

The company suggests that elsewhere in the country people have transformed phone boxes into miniature art galleries, local information booths or meeting points, and BT is offering a £5,000 prize to the authority which comes up with the most innovative use. About 350 kiosks have been adopted by parish councils across the country, but only six in the North West.

John Lumb, general manager for BT Payphones, said: “Parish councils across the UK have taken the opportunity to become the owners of traditional red kiosks.

“Initially, the adoption scheme was aimed specifically at those red kiosks in last year’s payphone removal programme.

“In the North West, we believe there are more than 600 red kiosks, which are potentially suitable for adoption.”

BT has agreed not to remove any of Britain’s 12,000-plus red boxes until October 1, which is the deadline for local councils to submit their applications.