FIRST it was Poole pensioners Jill and Dennis Shaw. Left without a telephone service for seven weeks, and frustrated by the lack of action from their service supplier, TalkTalk, they turned to the Daily Echo for help.

The result? Phone restored; apology, compensation and a bouquet received. But our story touched a nerve with several other local customers who had experienced similar problems with their telephone and broadband service since switching to TalkTalk.

They included Desmond Gardner, of Bournemouth, who complained of a faulty line and slow broadband connection; College lecturer Petronilla Whitfield was left without telephone or internet for more than a month after switching to TalkTalk. In exasperation she returned to BT.

Holly Wheeler was also left without any telephone or internet service for two weeks; Richard Bartlett and Maureen Dean, of Poole for more than a month, while another Poole couple, Kelly Hordle and Dan Bridges were unable to make calls.

All have racked up big mobile telephone bills trying to resolve their problems with TalkTalk, and were angry at the company's apparent lack of customer care or response.

We contacted the TalkTalk press office several times in February, but did not receive a reply until March 6, when the company assured us the issues we raised had been resolved.

"We are committed to ensuring that our customers receive a smooth and efficient service and we make every effort that all complaints are handled swiftly and with care," said spokeswoman Ruth Leach.

"Over the past 12 months TalkTalk has been installing its own equipment in BT's exchanges and has now transfered customers on to this new network. TalkTalk is working very closely with BT to minimise any disruption.

"Once the upgrades are completed, customers will be able to benefit from a better telephone system and, in many cases, improved broadband speed."