BANBURY book-lovers have expressed outrage after BT called time on a locally-constructed 'Phone Box Library'.

Last summer, an anonymous benefactor built shelves and placed books in the red phone box outside St John's Church, South Bar.

But on Tuesday, a notice appeared from BT, which own the box.

Citing safety concerns, it demanded the removal of books, shelving and associated signage from the box, adding that the company would remove anything left by March 3.

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Books & Ink Bookshop in White Lion Shopping Walk has promised to keep shelves topped up if BT let the library continue.

Owner Sam Barnes said: "Anything that encourages the exchange of books and gets people reading, especially if they can't afford to themselves, is brilliant. And it's a great thing to have on the High Street."

North Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry said: “Sometimes I have to check that I am not losing a sense of perspective but I am somewhat at a loss to understand how a few books in a telephone booth can be a health and safety issue."

A spokesperson from BT said the company were compelled to act after receiving one complaint from a Banbury resident about wobbly shelves.

The company added the phone box is still operational, with 1,093 calls made in the past year.