Marlow Town Council look set to save a public telephone box from being removed by “adopting” it.

More than 50 public telephone boxes were earmarked for removal across the Wycombe district as BT announced plans to scrap “unnecessary” public payphones.

The telephone box at the junction of Lock Road and Station Road, near the Marlow Donkey pub, only made 39 calls within the last year and BT suggested it be removed.

However, the town council has stepped in to take on the phone box, which could house a life-saving defibrillator instead.

The public defibrillator would join two others that have already been installed in the town – in Higginson Park and more recently, Institute Road.

The idea was discussed at a full town council meeting on January 10, with councillor Roger Wilson hailing it as “excellent.”

He said: “Can I suggest we also purchase the one on Seymour Park Road to also be used for the same purpose.”

And a competition for young people to take part in and rename the telephone box could be made a reality after it was suggested by councillor Roy Cadman.

However, cllr Suzanne Brown said that money will have to be set aside in the council budget to make sure the box was kept up-to-scratch.

She said: “If it is to be used to house a defibrillator, it is a very good reason for doing it but we have to take into account that when you take on a phonebox you have to maintain it. So I hope that in the budget – and it doesn’t cost a lot – but some money to keep it clean and painted.”

Town mayor, cllr Bob Johnson reassured cllr Brown that it will be maintained “to the highest possible standard.” 

In Marlow Bottom, a kiosk near Goodwood Rise looks set to be adopted by Marlow Bottom Parish Council, while the removal of another, near New Road, has been objected to.

The telephone box made and received 100 calls in the past year, with Wycombe District Council saying it should be kept because it is near to sheltered housing.

The council objected to the removal of 13 out of the 54 proposed removals across the district.