Many people in the Highlands and Islands will not get Christmas calls from their families as a massive number of phones are still out of order since a raft of lighting strikes damaged the network nearly two weeks ago.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people are affected with broadband and internet services also down in many places across the north.

It could be into February before a full service is restored to all, it is understood.

Lightning bolts struck thousands of times across northern Scotland over a two day period during the electrical storms amid the violent 'weather bomb' storm earlier this month.

Utility company BT said it has drafted in 60 extra engineers from across the UK to help tackle a mammoth backlog of repair work in the Highlands and Islands.

Engineers are working all hours including over weekends to try to get people reconnected.

About 100 engineers will be undertaking repairs over the traditional festive public holidays with BT paying overtime for staff to work extra hours.

Parts of the Western Isles have been badly hit with villagers in the Callanish and Ness districts still cut-off.

Repair efforts are also ongoing across Orkney where there are extensive phone problems.

However, the continuing threat of lightning strikes means it is often too dangerous for staff to work outside on the telecommunications network, creating further delays.

Kirkwall councillor Alistair Gordon has to wait until mid-January for an engineer's visit.

He said: "We been off since December 14 and BT say they'll send an engineer on January 14.

"In the meantime, I did a patch-up job so I can get broadband or phone line but not both."

A BT spokesman said a significant number of phone faults have been reported.

He said: "These are exceptional circumstances and the situation is particularly bad in places.

"We are trying to clear the backlog. Some faults will take a while before we can get people back online."