PEOPLE who believed they were victims of a serial anonymous phone caller were probably targeted by telesales companies which have programmed their computers to dial dozens of homes all at once.

Barrow and Furness MP John Hutton has now written to Oftel after receiving complaints about the problem, and has

suggested constituents take steps to protect their telephone number from being abused.

Mr Hutton explained: "I am told that a number of telesales companies have programmed their computers to make

blanket calls to a lot of random numbers at the same time.

"The call goes through, but there are not enough staff to pick up the call.

The line cuts off when the phone is picked up by the householder and there is no-one free to speak to th e potential customer.

The number is then stored so that the call can be made again and again."

The practice is believed to have caused anxiety among the elderly who believe they are a victim of an anonymous caller, and has aroused suspicion in some relationships that a partner might be having an affair.

None of the calls made over the last few months have left behind a number that can be obtained from the 1471 service.

She and Mr Hutton suggested people join the Telephone Preference Service, launched in 1999, which means their details are added to a database of householders who do not want to be contacted randomly by companies they are not

customers of.

To call the Telephone Preference Service registration line, contact 0845 070 0707.