ISLANDERS now have the chance to own their own phonebox — for just £1.

BT's 'Adopt a Kiosk' scheme offers communities the chance to 'adopt' their local phonebox and turn it into something new for their local area.

Calls made from public telephones have fallen by around 90 per cent in the past decade, with most people now possessing a mobile phone.

Already, more than 780 payphones have been adopted by communities in the South East.

Communities can adopt a kiosk if they are a recognised public body — such as a parish council, community council town council or parish meeting.

Boxes can also be adopted by registered charities or by individuals who have a payphone on their own land.

The Island currently has nine phone boxes up for adoption, with six in Ventnor at Chale Green, Marlborough Rd, Bonchurch Village Rd, Library High Street, Barclays Bank Church Street, and Seven Sisters Rd Undercliff Drive.

There are another three at Lind Street, Ryde, Madeira Road, Seaview, and High Street, Bembridge.

Katherine Bradley, BT's senior payphones commercial and operations manager, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for communities to own a piece of history."

A former phone box in Whitwell, Ventnor has already been converted into a public library.

For further details on how to apply to Adopt a Kiosk, go to online.

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