Phone service fights text bullies

Mr Richard said he had not realised the extent of text bullying

A new piece of mobile phone technology designed to help stamp out text bullying is being launched on Monday.

The system, from Cambridge company Hotxt, has been partly designed by BBC2's Dragon's Den entrepreneur and local businessman Doug Richard.

The user has a personal name or "tag" that is kept secure from unknown senders and enables bullies' numbers and messages to be blocked.

Research shows one in five youngsters has been bullied via text or e-mail.

Profits promise

Mr Richard said: "Did I know that text bullying existed? Yes. Did I know the dimensions of it? No.

"I think it's great we're doing something to give the power back to the individual."

The company is promising a percentage of its profits to help The Red Balloon Learner Centre in Cambridge, which helps bullied children.

Dr Carrie Herbert, Red Balloon founder, said: "Unlike other forms of bullying, unwanted and frightening texts can follow a child into their homes and we welcome any development which will help alleviate the distress this can cause."