A damaged BT cable, which left villagers unable to use their phone lines for more than four weeks, has been restored.

Residents and businesses in Laddingford were left cut off and with “no means of communication” for 31 days.

Tracey Leaver, who runs The Chequers pub, said she first reported the issue to the network provider on April 7, who confirmed there was a serious fault on the line.

Speaking to KentOnline previously, she said: “That was just before the Easter weekend, so being a pub, we were obviously worried that nobody would be able to book any tables.

“We're just a small village pub, so we don't have online booking or anything like that.

“It is purely the telephone that we rely on, and our provider said that there was nothing they could do and that it was all on BT.”

As a result, the business had experienced a loss of trade.

But, it was also the elderly community suffering, many of who do not have mobile phones, says Tracey.

“They can't get onto Wi-Fi calling so they have no real way of contacting people or people contacting them,” she added.

“I just feel it's a really bad situation, and we don't seem to be getting any answers as to why it's taken so long.”

Local MP Katie Lam also contacted BT following the problems, calling them “unacceptable”.

On Thursday (May 8), repair work was completed and BT has since confirmed all customers are now back in service.

Tracy said it is a massive relief for the village.

Speaking to KentOnline today (May 10), she added: “There were a number of people, older people who had no idea when their phones would be back on or what was happening.

“I think that was one of the major problems, the lack of communication about it.”

But, there are still concerns for when BT phases out its copper wire broadband and telephone networks.

She added: “When the copper lines are taken out, which is going to happen, I believe, in the next year, we just hope the older, vulnerable people are adequately looked after and have all the necessary support that they need.”