Virgin and EE mobile phone customers in Maryport have no reception because the landowner on which a damaged mast is located is on holiday.

An EE spokesman said that the company is aware of a disruption around Maryport because of the damaged mast.

He said: "Unfortunately the landlord of the location of one of our affected sites is on holiday, and we cannot gain access until they have returned.

"We are doing everything we can to work around this, but are restricted by legislation.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this may be causing while we work to resume a full service as soon as possible."

Customers have reported being without signal for the last five days. It is not known when the fault will be able to be rectified.