A HAMPSHIRE businessman is regretting trying to stay one step ahead of the pack following this week's big telephone numbers shake-up.

Chandler's Ford's Geoff Bartlett, who runs a window blinds company, took British Telecom's advice and got the number on the side of his car adjusted in time for the June 1 deadline.

But hardly had the paint dried than he found it would only work for customers dialling the full number with new code.

People making local calls in the 01705 area - which Mr Bartlett's Lee-on-Solent company comes under - would not get through if they only dialled the local number.

And instead of simply being instructed to redial the same number prefixed by the new 023 code - which will also cover the South-ampton area - a recorded message just tells callers the number has not been recognised.

Thousands of other companies in the seven areas affected - including Greater London - will face the same problems.

Mr Bartlett, of Flexford Close, said: "I've paid over £100 to get this sign done and now it could end up costing me business.

"BT sent out an information pack about a month ago telling me everything I needed to do to get my business ready for this.

"But they didn't say the local number will only work for local callers if they use the area code with it.

"Anyone in 01705 area who sees my sign is going to dial 92552265 as they've no reason to think they'd need to use the code as well.

"And when they do they'll get a totally useless message which just says 'number not recognised'. "You would have thought a huge phone company like BT could arrange to have the right information on its recorded message."

A BT spokesman said: "Our brochure went through customer research and we were satisfied that it succeeded in setting out the changes in a clear and digestible fashion.

"As for the recorded message, we cannot second guess why a caller has misdialled. They may not be trying to reach the local number, in which case the information would be misleading."

But Telecommunications watchdog Oftel also slammed BT for not making things crystal clear to customers.

A spokesman said: "We recognise that earlier BT publicity did not spell out clearly the implications the changes would have for local dialling.

"The National Code and Number Change (NCNC) group was specifically set up by all the telephone companies to make sure the right information went out."

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