TELECOM bosses launched an inquiry into embarrassing gaps in the much-vaunted new BT phone book for York area.

It was the first new-format phone book in the country, billed 'the only one you need' and it incorporates a Yellow Pages-style classified section.

But many traders in Ryedale do not appear in the listings, leaving them furious and fearing they will lose business.

A spokesman for BT expressed concern and promised an investigation.

Thousands of the new-style books have already been delivered. Although Malton and Norton businesses are in the traditional A to Z business section, many are not in the yellow classified directory at the front.

Malton town councillor Chris Harding said he first noticed the discrepancy when he used the book to look something up.

"I could not find what I was looking for," he said. "I looked up one or two other things like builders and garages and they were not there. You get a lot of trade from people looking up in the yellow page section, and this has to be bad for traders.

"People will think they don't need the Yellow Pages any more, but if the phone numbers are not there a lot of businesses will miss out."

Traders in other towns - including Kirkbymoorside, Easingwold and Pocklington - appear to be in the book.

Pharmacist Ian Beecham, who has businesses in Malton and Norton, said: "We are in the proper Yellow Pages, as well as the business directory of the phone book. I had not realised we were not in the new section, but this is something I would be looking to rectify.

"I will be bringing this up at the next chamber of trade meeting."

John Ellis, accounts manager at Cundall's auctioneers, said: "When we got the new phone book I had just assumed we would be in. I don't think we have been approached about it, but then looking at it I would not have thought we had to be."

Although Cundall's appears in the A to Z listing, there are no Malton and Norton estate agents listed in the classified section. "They have Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley Boulton and Cooper, and not Malton, and that's crazy," said Mr Ellis. "I shall keep this phone book by me and I'll be making inquiries."

When BT was alerted to the fears voiced by anxious traders, a spokesman said: "We share the concerns and a full investigation is under way into what may have happened."

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, February 12, 2003