MOBILE phone users who have been on the receiving end of poor coverage “for the past five weeks” may have to wait another month until the problem is fixed.

‘Three’ says the intermittent reception in Worcester city centre is down to a crane, believed to be at the King’s School on College Green, which is causing a “line of sight issue” to one of the company’s masts in Copenhagen Street.

The problem has caused a headache for many residents and businesses across the city.

Kel Thomas, who runs Kel’s Childminding from her home in Medway Road, Ronkswood, said she’s struggled to get a signal for about four or five weeks.

“I work from home and it has been a big problem,” she said.

“Their customer services are terrible. We were told the problem would be fixed by August 25, but we’re still unable to use our phones.”

She said Three told her the problem could remain for another 30 days, adding that the company had since offered the choice of a home signal kit or 50 per cent off the bill.

Dozens of people took to your Worcester News’ Facebook page to complain about the lack of reception.

Jacqueline Burnett said: “Can’t call out, no reception and often can’t access the internet.”

Rois Ali, meanwhile, said he’s “just finished listening to 41 voicemails off people that couldn’t get through to my mobile; so frustrating.”

Adrian Field, manager of Worcester BID (Business Improvement District), said he has spoken to traders who have been left frustrated by the blackout.

“For about five weeks now the Three signal has been really poor in Worcester city centre,” he said.

“A couple of people have said it is not great and has made them a bit inefficient as a business.”

Three has put the problem down to two reasons.

Press officer Mark Gibbs said the crane, which is “most probably due to the work at the school”, is causing “a line of sight issue”.

“It is being worked on, but at the moment there is not a firm timeframe for resolution,” he said.

He added there is also a “transmission error” on both city masts, in Copenhagen Street and Shrub Hill Road, both of which are under investigation, again without a timescale.

The firm has 1.5 million UK customers but wouldn’t confirm to your Worcester News how many of those live in Worcester or have been affected by the disruption.