Up to 30 homes were last night still without Internet and phone lines, a week after connections were cut by thieves trying to steal underground British Telecom cables.

The thieves failed in their attempt to steal copper cables beneath Botley Road, in the early hours last Tuesday.

The bungled raid cut 2,800 lines, including connections to at least 250 homes.

BT engineers have been at the scene day and night for the past week trying to fix the fault.

Last night a BT spokesman said up to 30 homes remained without Internet and phone connections.