"Phone boxes are vital in the countryside, especially in areas where there is no mobile phone coverage, " said Mr Edwards.

BBC: Phone box that's a home from home

Residents and councils will have 42 days from the date that new notices are placed in the phone boxes to respond.

BBC: New consultation over phone boxes

Residents in three Borders villages have given disused phone boxes a new lease of life by turning them into "community information hubs".

BBC: Scottish Borders village phone boxes get new 'hub' role