VILLAGERS had their phone and internet cut off for a week after thieves stole a reel of cable.

Police believe the copper wires were taken from a manhole off Temple Lane between Cressing and Silver End at around 10pm on Sunday, October 28.

Cressing parish councillor, Colin Haines, said his village was without phone and internet for a week.

He said: “It was a real annoyance.

“It took the engineers almost a week to replace the cable.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the theft to contact Braintree police station on 101.