Save our Boxes was unveiled by council leader Michael Davey to urge BT to scrap plans to remove more than 100 boxes in Northumberland.

Fire chiefs have warned that fewer boxes could hamper the ability to ring 999 in a fire or accident.

The council claims it will also hit the poor and elderly who cannot afford mobile phones or landlines.

Remote roads

The council said 144 phones in and around Blyth, Wansbeck, Alnwick, Berwick, Tynedale and Morpeth.

Residents are being urged to sign an online petition, write to BT or set up their own petition.

BT had set a 22 September deadline for objections, but last week it said it would look more closely at many of the boxes under review following protests.

Mr Davey said: "We've heard horror stories of people being quoted thousands for a rural line and this will hit some of the most vulnerable residents.

"Landlines are a safety net for people to alert fire, ambulance or police and removing them will give no comfort to walkers, drivers or residents. Mobile phone signals are hit or miss in remote parts of the county.

"Roads in parts of the Cheviots are remote and harsh in the winter - a callbox may mean life or death to a motorist who breaks down, or it may mean a child not being able to call their parents."