From mini-libraries to defibrillator units, history museums to art galleries, local communities have come up with an array of ideas to re-use their redundant local phone box.

Now BT have another 375 red phone boxes available for communities in the South East to adopt for just £1 as part of their Adopt a Kiosk scheme.

There are five in Cherwell; three in Chiltern; three in Oxford; 13 in South Oxfordshire; two in Vale of White Horse and 10 in West Oxfordshire.

Any recognised public body, such as a parish council, community council or town council, can apply. Boxes can also be adopted by registered charities or by individuals who have a payphone on their own land.

BT will continue to provide electricity (if already in place) to power the light free of charge.

Since the launch of the scheme in 2008, 895 redundant boxes have been given a fresh purpose by local communities.

The Community Heartbeat Trust charity is working with BT and local people to install lifesaving defibrillators in some.

BT has also upgraded 400 kiosks to create digital units, called street hubs, offering services such as free ultrafast WiFi, free UK phone calls and USB device charging.

During the pandemic the street hubs have displayed advice from Public Health England and local councils.

Jon Pollock, BT Enterprise unit director for the south of England, said: “With most people now using mobile phones, it’s led to a huge drop in the number of calls made from payphones. At the same time, mobile coverage has improved significantly in recent years due to investment in masts, particularly in rural areas.

“We’re currently rationalising our payphone estate to make it fit for the future, and the ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme makes it possible for local communities in the South East to retain their local phone box, with a refreshed purpose for the community.”

For details, go to www.bt.com/adopt where application forms and information can be found.