DISGUSTED payphone users have condemned vandals who smashed six phone boxes in a wrecking spree at Bolton Bus Station.

Hundreds of pounds worth of damage was caused by yobs attacking the cluster of kiosks at Moor Lane.

Bosses at BT payphones, which runs the country's phone box network, said it was ordinary users who paid the price for such actions.

Director Malcolm Newing said the cost of vandalism was one of the main reasons for the recent increase in the minimum phone box charge from 10p to 20p.

He said: "It means that we are less able to take advantage of the network reductions that benefit business, residential and mobile phone users."

Passengers at Bolton station yesterday were unanimous in their condemnation of the vandals responsible for the damaged boxes. John O'Reardon, 42, of Chorley New Road, said: "There's no words to describe how pathetic these people are. Frankly I think flogging's too good for them."

Ann Robinson, 85, of Harwood, said: "What pleasure do they get from doing something like that? I think it's disgusting."

And Edna Eaton, also 85 and from Harwood, added: "I think the people who do this sort of thing get off too lightly. There should be stronger punishments to send out a message to them."

BT Payphones claim there are no Bolton or North-west figures available but nationally 341,000 incidents of phone box vandalism caused around £3 million worth of damage. Police made more than 1,900 arrests. Damaged phone boxes in Moor Lane