VODAFONE users in Bournemouth have been left frustrated by a sudden drop in coverage due to a “problem” in the area.

Many users have suffered with 3G issues as well as problems making and receiving calls.

Customers from Bournemouth, Christchurch and other local areas writing on the Vodafone forum expressed their frustration at the length of time it was taking to fix the problem.

The BH22 tag is the most used on Vodafone's eforum after a week of patchy service and a post highlighted at the top of the Vodafone forum now states: "We’re currently investigating the performance of a number of sites in the Bournemouth area. Any updates will be added to this thread." There have been no updates.

Dozens of users have contacted the Echo on Facebook to complain of a sudden drop in network coverage.

Lisa Kelland, 33, from Queens Park told the Daily Echo her coverage went off in Bournemouth on Monday last week although she was still able to use Twitter and other internet apps as well as texting.

She was also unable to ring out and receive calls, which got cut off as soon as they were answered and even after ringing Vodafone on Monday and Wednesday last week, the problem continued.

As well as advising Lisa to switch her phone on and off again, the company also told her to switch from 3G to 2G as they have a problem in the area.

She said: “I was expecting a call from my boss as I start a new job on Monday and they couldn't get through which was embarrassing.

“It worked when I went to Poole but not at home or anywhere in Bournemouth.”

Cyndy Elkins from Christchurch also had problems.

She said: “I have had no signal, no internet at all unless connected to wi-fi and phone calls always dropping.

“I am a very unhappy Vodafone customer.”

A spokesperson for Vodafone said: “We are aware of a fault on a nearby mast and we are investigating. We apologise to customers locally and will try to get this fixed as soon as possible.”