Homes remained without Internet and telephone connections almost a week after a bungled theft cut thousands of lines in west Oxford, Botley and Cumnor.

A BT spokesman said engineers were continuing to fix the cables in Botley Road and service should be restored today.

Two cables were cut by thieves trying to steal underground copper cables transporting 2,800 Internet and phone lines early on Tuesday.

BT believes about 250 customers were affected.