Calls to save North East icon

An SNP election candidate has called for urgent repairs to be carried out on a red telephone box made famous in a 1980s film.

The state of the phone box in the Aberdeenshire village of Pennan has been highlighted by Banff and Buchan candidate Eilidh Whiteford after she noticed its condition during her election campaigning.

It was made famous in the 1983 movie Local Hero, which was filmed in Pennan and still attracts movie buffs to the village. Ms Whiteford said: Pennan is one of the iconic tourist destinations on the Moray Firth, made famous by Local Hero, which over 30 years later still draws people to the village.

One of the biggest stars of the film is the red telephone box from where the American oil executive calls home to the USA.

It was therefore very disappointing to see it in the condition it was in, badly in need of a spruce-up and with the door propped-up against the wall having come off its hinges.

I've contacted BT on the matter and I hope that they will take action to remedy the situation in time for the tourist season.''