BT customers have had their phonelines fixed after vandalism led to a loss of service across Mottingham.

The problems led to hundreds of homes and businesses losing their phone and internet service, with the shutdown wreaking havoc on burglar alarm and card payment systems.

BT was made aware of the problem on October 21, caused by vandalism of cabling in the Grove Park Road and Crossway area.

Although cabling was completed on October 24, the company had to test eveybody’s line - a job finished on October 28.

Branch manager of Anthony James estate agents in Mottingham Road, Tommy Staples, said: “We’ve missed a lot of calls because of this. We were originally told the problem would be fixed the next day.”