Mobile phone text messaging has more than doubled since March 2002, according to the survey by mobile phone insurer CPP.

More than eight out of ten people under the age of 25 are more likely to send someone a text message than call. But, at the other end of the scale, just 14% of those aged over 55 said they preferred to text.

According to this report, using text to make flirtatious suggestions was popular, as was contacting an ex-partner.

The Greeting Card Association is worried, because the yougsters also prefer to send a SMS than a greeting card.

Common SMS usage in UK:

Send a greeting/ happy birthday 28%

Cancel/ arrange a social meet 16%

Receive sports/news updates 7%

Flirting 7%

Contact an ex-partner 4%