NEWBURY MP Richard Benyon is encouraging West Berkshire residents to become 'phone detectives' and help boost better coverage.

The Countryside Alliance is asking people to download the free app, RootMetrics, which records mobile reception in their area and discovers which network provider is the strongest.

The campaign is set up to map phone reception rates across the country, by recording the results from each person's mobile, and the results will be used to show the Government where better coverage is needed.

Mr Benyon said: "Everyone pays the same for their phone package but phone reception is very variable and many people are not getting a good deal.

"The Government is spending �150m improving mobile reception but this app will be a great help in assessing mobile coverage locally."

He added: "I would ask everyone to consider downloading the app and make use of it this summer so the Countryside Alliance can have the best possible information to help inform the mobile coverage plan."

Visit www.rootmetrics.com/uk/