Four of the eight phone boxes earmarked for removal are in Hailsham — two in London Road, one in South Road and one in Lower Horsebridge.

Pay phones in Hailsham Road and Gardner Street in Herstmonceux — and those in New Road, Hellingly, and at Wartling — are also under threat.

But Wealden District Council has urged BT to rethink its plans and called for most of the pay phones to be saved, while asking for more information about the viability of the kiosk at New Road in Hellingly.

Cllr Roy Galley, cabinet member for strategic planning, said, "It is our job to respond to BT's closure plans.

"We have had a great response from members of the public and parish and town councils who are concerned about the loss of emergency telephone cover if the call boxes were removed.

"Many telephone kiosks have become a well-loved part of the rural landscape and their retention will help preserve the heritage of the district.

"I think BT should carry on maintaining these public phone boxes in the interests of the local community."

The council said some of the boxes in the local area, including those at Wartling and Gardner Street, are the classic K6 kiosks designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the famous 20th century architect.

Due to uncertainty regarding the details of some of the phone boxes earmarked for closure, Wealden has been given extra time for the consultation process.

It is asking both parish and town councils and the general public for their views.

All submitted responses should be made by 5pm on next Friday (October 17) to ensure BT receives the views on time.

BT is also operating two schemes where local authorities can either adopt-a-kiosk at £1 per call box but the telephony equipment is removed or sponsor-a-kiosk which costs £500 including a contribution towards keeping the telephony equipment in place.

A spokeswoman for BT told the Gazette in June pay phones would not be removed if the consultation showed it satisfied 'a social need'.