THE Vale is set to lose a total of four phone boxes amid the growing popularity of mobile phones.

Kiosks in Broadway's High Street, Dormstan Lane in Inkberrow, Broadway Road, Evesham and Throckmorton are among 14 to be removed in the Wychavon area.

Operator BT has said the move will still leave 145 boxes in the area, including 36 that operate at a loss.

Paul Hendron, director of BT Payphones said: "BT is still committed to the service, particularly for the communities that need us most.

"Getting the balance right between commercial pressures and loss-making payphones is difficult, but we believe we are getting it right."

The decision to remove the telephone boxes follows a national review that began in April 2002.

Figures show only one per cent of UK homes do not have access to a landline or mobile phone and the number of calls made from payphones has dropped by almost 50 per cent in the past three years.