Vodafone says it is looking for further ways to improve its mobile phone service to Norfolk customers after a barrage of complaints and a protest petition signed by 890 dissatisfied customers.

A spokesman for the firm said they were looking at possible future engineering changes to increase reliability and were currently carrying out live trials across north Norfolk to test coverage strength in different post codes, to see if any adjustments could be made.

Vodafone has been under fire in Norfolk for several months with customers complaining about problems including a complete lack of service, an intermittent signal, and confusing or unhelpful advice.

Phil Collins, from Longham, near Dereham, said: 'I have to stand on my patio wall to obtain one bar and that is intermittent at best.

'I think that companies like Vodafone treat people in rural Norfolk as

the forgotten people and frankly don't care that we can't communicate by whatever means in the 21st century.'

The Vodafone spokesman said they were not aware of any new faults since repairs were made to a link near Aylsham earlier this week.

The firm had announced a partnership with O2 last year, aimed at bringing services to a greater number of people.

But she said getting permission for masts could take up to 12 months and it was not always granted. Broadland District Council had rejected 50pc of Vodafone's applications and some residents had also objected.