THE mystery of a missing phone box has finally been solved. Councillors spotted that the phone box at Dorchester South railway Station was missing back in the summer.

And although bosses at BT claimed that the box was replaced just a week after being removed, members of Dorchester Town Council insisted that the box was missing.

Now BT has admitted that the box is indeed missing and has told officials that it is highly unlikely that it will be replaced because of vandalism.

Councillor Tim Harries, who questioned the booth's disappearance, said: "BT has finally admitted that the box is missing.

"It was being continuously vandalised and it did not take much money apparently, so it was removed about seven months ago.

"It has told the town council that it has no intention of replacing the box."

Coun Harries said that he was concerned that the box was not going to be replaced.

"Not everyone has access to mobile telephones. People need to have access to phones at transport exchanges, and I would like to see one reintroduced."

He said he hoped to raise his concerns at a meeting of the town council's planning and environment committee on Monday.

"I am going to suggest that we write to Network Rail to see if it would be possible to have a phone in the ticket office, which would at least give people the chance to make calls during the day when the office is open."

At the same meeting members of the committee will consider a request by BT to remove a phone box in Blagdon Road in the town.

A letter sent to the town council by BT said that the company planned to remove the box because it is unprofitable and under used.

The letter from Rick Thompson, project liaison officer for BT pay phones, said: "BT is not taking the decision to remove any payphone lightly.

"The Blagdon Road payphone is very rarely used. The cost of providing service and maintenance is 37 times greater than the revenue."