A BURY woman has been left out of pocket after living without a landline phone or internet for more than a month.

Elaine Best, of Affetside Drive, claims the problem is costing her money as well as causing inconvenience.

She first reported the issue to PlusNet, which provides her landline and broadband internet on July 26, but her connection is still faulty.

PlusNet says the delays are due to work being done on underground cables in her area by their contractor, Openreach.

Openreach says the fault is due to lightning damage, with 60 metres of cable needing to be replaced. However, it has found blockages in the underground duct which need to be cleared before work can start.

Mrs Best said: “I am having to use my mobile phone as a landline and I have had to top up an additional £80.

“It really has affected us. We have got insurance online and it is coming to that stage where we need to renew on the computer and we can’t do any of that.

“All the information is via email and it is a real pain.”

Mrs Best also claims the problems are affecting her job prospects. She used to own a cafe which she later sold, and is now looking to get back into employment, but cannot find potential jobs because of the internet blackout.

Mrs Best added: “You do everything on the internet these days. I can’t apply for any jobs, as all of the job applications are online.”

“My husband uses it for work and he has been having to use the phones at work.

“What I find amazing is that my neighbours across the road have different providers and they are having no problems.”

A spokesperson for Openreach said: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by this loss of service.

“More than 60 metres of underground cable has been damaged by a lightning strike but replacement has been hampered by severe blockages.”

A spokesperson for PlusNet added: “We will continue to work closely with Openreach and with Mrs Best until her connection is back up and running.”