Police and BT have been accused of failing to stamp out drug dealing at a notorious 'dial-a-fix' phone box.

Labour MP David Lepper and Green councillor Rik Child said all but 999 calls should be barred at the kiosk, which is being used by addicts to arrange heroin deals.

The phone box, in Richmond Parade, Brighton, was taped off by police when we revealed it was being used as a drug hotline.

But the tape was soon ripped off and because only incoming calls have been blocked it is still being used by addicts.

Mohammed Asaduzzaman, who owns the Goa Spice of Life restaurant, opposite the phone box, said drug users could be seen waiting by the kiosk.

He said: "The problem has not gone away. The whole community is getting a bad reputation because of the phone box."

Mr Lepper said he had met police chiefs and written to BT managers, urging both to act, and said the two agencies had failed to co-operate.

He said: "So far we have seen a failure by the police and BT to get together to look at what the best solution is going to be.

"If possible they should continue to provide an emergency telephone link for residents who need it but also stamp out the use of this box as a centre for illegal drug dealing."

BT barred all incoming calls a month ago and pledged to review the kiosk's future in two months.

A spokesman said the company had a duty to keep the phone box open if it could.

Coun Child said: "This is quite unbelievable behaviour from BT.

"It has asked the police and local councillors to provide evidence of the drug dealing and we have done that, yet instead of closing it it has untaped it."

Brighton and Hove police said they had worked closely with BT since complaints from residents were received.

Chief Inspector Lisa Pearcey said police had targeted the kiosk but could not force BT to close the phone box.

A BT spokesman said: "We have looked at the kiosk. We don't believe closing it would help the situation.

"The kiosk obviously provides a service to the community. If there are illegal activities taking place, that is a job for the police but obviously we will work closely with them."