GRAVESHAM is in line to lose more of its traditional telephone boxes because BT claims there is no longer a call for them.

One of the country’s most iconic landmarks could be consigned to the history books in many towns and villages across Kent as BT prepares to remove more than 70 of the traditional red boxes.

The 'at risk’ red kiosks are part of more than 400 payphones which could be removed from the county’s streets.

Gravesham is set to lose its red boxes from The Grove and The High Street.

In May, BT announced six of the borough’s 74 public phone kiosks faced the axe.

They were in Cervia Way, Gravesend; Waterdales, Northfleet; Huntingfield Road, Meopham; School Lane, Higham; Istead Rise and Erskine Road, Vigo.

Just across the border a further four kiosks were earmarked for removal in Station Road, Greenhithe; New Barn Road, Longfield; Westwood Road, Southfleet; and Church Road, Hartley.

BT has drawn up the hit list of payphones which are no longer profitable because of declining usage due to the expanding rate of mobile phone use.

Local authorities have been consulted, and BT is now analysing responses to determine where the axe will fall.

Nationally 31,000 payphones have been removed since 2002.

Now BT is giving Kent councils the option to 'adopt’ a red telephone box if they want to keep it for heritage or aesthetic reasons.

They have until November 1 to do so.

At the start of the consultation there were 1,594 payphones in Kent - 63 per cent of which are deemed unprofitable.

Councils can adopt a kiosk for historical reasons but the payphone will be removed or they can sponsor a kiosk at an annual fee of £500 to maintain the telephone service and the box.