DOZENS of Evening Press readers in York have joined the protest against a digital TV company who have not delivered promised free interactive services.

We reported on Monday how Paul Minton, 31, of Monkton Road had not received free internet, e-mail and games from Cable And Wireless (now owned by NTL) after four months.

Since then the phones have been red hot with other angry readers, who claim they have waited just as long despite repeated assurances from the company that the services would be up and running.

Paula Dundas, of Nursery Drive said she signed up to the digital package in January so her children, Hayley, 11 and Billy, five, could enjoy the internet and games.

She said: "The company made out it was a lot better package than the others, and told me the free services would be up and running by the end of April. They just keep changing the dates.

"My children are really disappointed about it. Hayley starts secondary school soon and wanted to get into the internet before then, and Billy was really excited about the games."

Another reader, Jack Kent, 77, of Elmfield Avenue, signed up to the deal before Christmas.

He hoped to use the free e-mail to keep in touch with his grandson Jonathan who lives in Australia. He said: "I thought e-mail would be a cheap way of contacting him but the services have not been working. Jonathan rang me up and said he hadn't had any letters from me. Thankfully I've been able to get in touch through someone else's computer."

Kathleen Lancaster, of Acomb, said: "I signed up to digital on the understanding that I would have the interactive services within two or three weeks. I even sent away for a keyboard. I just haven't heard anything since. I'm very angry because it has cost me a lot of money for nothing."

James Martin, of Wilton Rise, was given £10 compensation by the company. He said: "I'm totally sick of their promises."

Ben Collins, of Poppleton Road, said: "It's a total disgrace."

Liz Levett, trading standards manager for City of York Council, said they are investigating the matter.

"We are grateful to those people who have contacted us because it gives us a better picture about what has happened."

A spokeswoman for NTL said: "York was one of the first cities to receive digital services and because of its pioneering technology we have experienced difficulties that need to be resolved. The delivery of interactive services has been one of those difficulties and we can only apologise for any inconvenience.

"If anyone wants to contact the company for further information, telephone 0800 0681400."