RAIL travellers are staging a campaign to save a telephone call box.

The box under threat is in Pillory Street at Nantwich near to the town's railway station.

As more and more people have mobile phones BT says it is cutting down on the number of call boxes throughout the country for economic reasons. It says the Nantwich box no longer pays its way and says that there are alternatives nearby.

But Nantwich town councillor Faith Cartlidge, who is leading the campaign, said: 'BT have posted a notice in the box saying it is no longer economic to run and that there are alternatives nearby, but they don't say where they are.

'A stranger to town would not have a clue as to where the nearest alternative box may be. I believe the nearest are in the town square some distance away.

Cllr Cartlidge, a member of the Crewe and Shrewsbury Passenger Association (CASPA), is a regular train traveller.

She added: 'I am the town council's representative on CASPA and I not only attend all the meetings but regularly use the railway because I don't own a car.

'All CASPA members agree that this particular telephone box should be retained. They point out that people getting off trains in Nantwich frequently want to use the telephone almost immediately to book taxis or find accommodation for the night, or to tell relatives or friends they have arrived in town.'

Cllr Cartlidge pointed out that there are two telephone boxes right next to each other in the town centre. She said: 'Surely it would be better to get rid of one of them, rather than this one by the railway station?'

Her campaign has the backing of colleagues on the town council and new clerk Nigel Hodges confirmed he has contacted BT and is awaiting a reply.

Crewe and Nantwich borough councillor Doug Butterill headed a similar campaign some months ago to retain the old-fashioned red phone box in Park View.

He said: 'That campaign was successful and I hope this one is too. It is obvious that the box so near to the railway station should be retained. Not everyone has a mobile phone.'