Brits lose millions of mobiles each year

The British lose an estimated 4.5 million mobile handsets every year, according to new research.

A study of over 1,000 people in the UK found that 855,000 phones were accidentally flushed down toilets, over 800,000 were left in pubs and nearly 250,000 were left on buses.

More bizarrely owners claimed that dogs ate their mobiles in 58,500 cases, while over 100,000 devices ended up in the washing.

Karen Darby, founder of SimplySwitch.com, which sponsored the research, said: "Of the 18 million new handsets bought in the UK every year, roughly 4.5 million will end up lost or damaged.

"Most people now rely on their mobile to stay in touch, so it is a good idea to keep a copy of your phone numbers on a computer or spare Sim card. That way, if your mobile goes missing, all is not lost."

The under 34 age group were the worst for losing their technology, with one in four losing or damaging their phone in the last year. The over 55s were the best, with just 16 per cent reporting a problem.

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