It's going to be a lonely valentine's weekend for Philip Webster and his wife, as what was supposed to be a busy time is now looking less promising, thanks to the loss internet and phone calls in their pub.

The King Alfred Inn, in Burrowbridge, is currently without any BT power and has been for days already.

Pub owner Philip can't take any phone or internet bookings for what was meant to be one of the busiest weekends of the year, with BT saying the issue cannot be fixed until Sunday.

"It's been an absolute nightmare," he said.

"Our phone line and internet are down again- the actual cable is broken.

"I've been on the phone to BT for an hour this morning and there's nothing they can do, even though we're customers have have the total care plan.

"They said they can only fix it on Sunday.

"This valentines weekend was supposed to be one of our busiest, but I can't take bookings by phone or internet as people can't get through.

"They just give up and try somewhere else if that happens.

"The phone line had been diverted to my mobile about 12 hours after it went down but the signal here is awful.

"I can't process credit and debit card payments either."

Philip said that on what should usually have been a busy Wednesday night, he was 50% down on trade.

"We do a £5 deal and usually serve 90 meals on a Wednesday night, but only did 30 last night," he said.

"I can't pay bills, I can't check internet banking, I can't communicate with my bank or accountant and our credit card machine can't poll.

"I can't update our Facebook, website or twitter.

"As a small business, this really does have a huge effect on us and on the small businesses who supply us.

"No customers here mean I won't be buying any more stock and stock we do have will be wasted.

"Staff will be sent home or asked not to come in at all as they can't serve an empty pub.

"It's appalling."

BT have been contacted by the Mercury for a comment.