Budleigh Salterton residents are keen to spruce up the town thanks to a band of volunteers if large companies who make cash cuts fail to help

Residents are doggedly refusing to take no for an answer from large companies content with making cash cuts, which leave the town looking tatty.

The town this month stepped up to the mark to complain to British Telecom about the state of an ‘iconic’ seafront phone box and to the county council about the ‘neglected and poorly maintained’ town and seafront railings.

Budleigh residents prepared to take matters into their own hands and carry out maintenance, repairs and painting have been thwarted by company health and safety policies.

Councillor Chris Kitson, who is championing the cause, said: “People have got a crusade here. They are proud of their environment and that’s why they get involved.

“If we can get the funding and go ahead we can put together a community team to paint the railings.

“Due to health and safety regulations, the telephone box cannot be painted using local volunteers.

“The BT payphone manager phoned me. He could not explain why this box had been missed off the redecoration programme in 2008.

“He ensured it would be on the 2011 programme, if possible it may be done in November this year.”

British Telecom said it would also replace the payphone’s broken glass.

Cllr Kitson drew BT’s attention to the state of the telephone box earlier this month when he wrote to BT chairman Sir Michael Rake, saying the town would repaint the red telephone box.

Budleigh Salterton Town Council this week vowed to write to Devon County Council to complain about the dangerous state of the railings along the seafront, Fore Street and near the Gentlemen’s Club.

The members fear the railings – many in a rusty condition - could be danger to the public and fail if leant against.

They said funding could be found to paint the railings once the county council carried out essential repairs.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “We were able to make some repairs to the railings last year but, unfortunately, it looks unlikely that there will be funding available in the current financial climate to make further repairs in the near future.

“We realise the importance of the matter to the town council and the local community and, therefore, would welcome an opportunity to talk with the town council to explore any options for the work to be done.”