BT did not tell Swindon Borough Council it could block plans to axe phone boxes in the town.

The communications giant has drawn-up blueprints to scrap 10 loss-making public payphones in Swindon.

There are 20 telephone kiosks in the town which are making a loss and half are to be axed under the proposal. BT blames the mobile phone boom for the cutbacks.

Communications Minister Mike O'Brien said laws gave authorities a right of veto over proposals to remove a phone booth.

But BT's letters had merely outlined the length of the consultation period and sought councils' views without revealing the extent of their powers, he said.

He said it was a matter of concern and called on BT to re-open the consultation where councils had not been properly informed.

And he urged MPs to put pressure on Ofcom, the industry regulator, not to

remove the right of veto as part of a looming review of BT's obligations.

He said: "Public telephone services should be available to everyone at an affordable price and that includes the provision of call boxes."

BT is seeking to remove 9,000 booths nationwide.

Critics say they are a critical lifeline in areas where mobile coverage is poor.

A BT spokesman said: "We write to every local authority to tell them about the consultation process and our correspondence is agreed with Ofcom, the industry regulator."

He confirmed 10 of the loss-making phone boxes would be retained in Swindon.