A BID to preserve a symbol of British heritage has been launched in the Melksham area, as plans are announced to save four dilapidated rural telephone boxes.

Melksham Without Parish Council has appealed for help from the rural communities surrounding the town to help restore the iconic red boxes.

Maintenance of the boxes is currently the responsibility of BT, but the parish council has the option to take ownership, and is looking to hear from community groups who may be able to help.

Council clerk Mary Jarvis said: “BT currently manages them. They are listed, so they have to keep them, but they’ve just been left to fall apart. The one on Woodrow Road now has a tree growing in it.”

The council has four boxes it is considering adopting, in Beanacre, Berryfield, Whitley and Melksham Forest.

Mrs Jarvis said: “They have historical value, so we really want to preserve them.

“There are boxes in other areas which have been saved by the community and used for something new. Some people have made them into village book swaps, or used them to display historic photograph records of the village.

“Somebody has already asked if they could be sponsored, with wrap-around advertising, but I think it would depend on what they were advertising; I don’t think we would want any way-out advertising.

“We do want to keep them for the community, if there is a good use for them.”

Anybody interested in preserving the boxes, or who has ideas for their possible use, can call 01225 705700 or email office@melkshamwithout.co.uk