A TOWN council is debating whether to fight to retain a phone box.

Maryport councillor Carni McCarron-Homes said a phone box in the town centre of Maryport should be retained and used to house a defibrillator, or even used as a tiny library, because it was part of the town’s history.

Cllr Christine Slater argued that it was not the traditional red box but a more modern one which was in a dilapidated condition.

“I have been down to look at it and it is an eyesore," she said. "It would need to be repaired if we were going to use it.”

Planning chairman Angela Kendall suggested that the council talks to BT before any decision is made on the future of the box.

BT has announced that it is to remove the box.

The council agreed to enter into 'dialogue' and discover what cost there would be to the council if it kept the phone box in the town.