A SINGLE bolt of lightning left dozens of people in Upton without the use of their phones last week.

BT engineers had to replace about 220 metres of underground cable before service was restored to residents at the Graftons.

The trouble began when lightning struck a telegraph pole and travelled to individual handsets, underground cables and line cards at the telephone exchange.

"It burned out 80 metres of cable carrying 20 lines which branched off a thicker cable carrying 50 lines for 140 metres. All that had to be replaced," said BT spokesman Paul Dorrell.

"We didn't realise the extent of the damage until engineers went out there on Thursday morning. The lightning appears to have zapped everything. A static discharge in the neighbourhood is enough to fry phones, fax machines and computers."

The door entry and alarm systems linking the 28 units of the Graftons sheltered housing complex were also affected and residents lost the use of their Careline emergency alarm systems.

Elgar Housing spokesman Steve Paddock said: "One resident with a mobile phone came to the rescue and wardens put in extra visits to make sure everyone was OK."