A STORM of protest has greeted plans to axe a quarter of the public telephone boxes in Totton.

Campaigners have condemned proposals to remove five of the 19 kiosks in the fast-growing town, which already has a population of more than 30,000.

Critics include New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis, who said the cuts could harm the elderly.

"In Totton there are probably a lot of vulnerable people, particularly elderly people, who may not have a mobile phone," said Dr Lewis.

"I suspect that pensioners have the lowest ownership level of mobile phones, but they are among the most vulnerable members of society."

Dr Lewis warned that victims of street crime could also suffer if public phones in the town were taken away.

He said: "What happens if someone is attacked and robbed of their mobile?

"They might need assistance, but people wouldn't necessarily want to open their door to a stranger, particularly if it were late at night.

"Under the proposals put forward by BT, a robbery victim wouldn't even be able to use a public call box to summon help."

One of the kiosks under threat is outside Totton railway station and is often used by passengers who need a lift home.

BT is also proposing to axe the public payphones at Hazel Farm Road, Ibbotson Way, Salisbury Road and School Road.

The plan, part of a massive cost-cutting drive, came under fire at a meeting of Totton and Eling Town Council's planning committee.

Planning officer Roger Hill listed the kiosks in danger of being removed and accused BT of trying to "slash as many as they can".

Councillor David Hibbert said the Salisbury Road call box was near a paddling pool and should be retained in the interests of public safety.

He added: "If there was an accident someone would need to use the kiosk to ring the emergency services. It must be kept."

Committee vice-chairman George Dart stressed that roadside kiosks were often used to report traffic accidents.

Councillor Alan Weeks said: "People who haven't got a mobile phone rely on public pay phones when they're out and about. They are entitled to expect a certain level of service while that service still exists."

Former planning committee chairman Frank Bright said Totton covered a massive area and needed the current number of phone boxes.

In a letter to the council BT says: "The increase in mobile phone ownership has led to a complete culture change in communication.

"The number of calls made from BT payphones has almost halved in the last three years and revenue has dropped by 41 per cent."

However, committee members said all five of the Totton kiosks under threat should be retained and agreed to lodge an objection to BT's proposals.

A BT spokesman promised that all the views expressed during the 42-day consultation period would be taken into account.