0870 calls are expensive, costing as much as 8p a minute from a landline at peak time, against just 3p if you were to ring the same company on an 01 or 02 phone number.

According to research by consumer body Which?, the cost of calling an 0870 number in the daytime is 7.5p a minute with BT (unless you are on an inclusive package) or 8p with cable provider Virgin.

And the price really hits home when you're left holding on the line, - is this deliberate? -  or navigating your way through a forest of options to reach a particular department.  "If you want to finish up where you started - just keep pressing buttons"

Companies and organisations like to use these numbers because they share the "per minute" revenue from the cost of the call with the telecoms provider.  The more time you take over your phone call - the more profit the company makes. They get nothing from using regular 01 and 02 landline numbers.

Businesses using 0870 numbers include banks and credit card companies, the DVLA etc  Others include local authority helplines and travel services, and government public enquiry lines like those for the Department for Education and Skills. The charges for 0870 vary wildly - some companies are charging as much as 20p min.

Many companies advertise a separate number that can be used when calling from abroad - This usually begins in the format +44 - There is nothing to stop you using this number from the UK (as it is a normal rate telephone call), and will be included in any inclusive minutes provided by your landline or mobile phone provider. Many others will give you a standard number if you ask.

www.SAYNOTO0870.com  (SAY NO to 0870)  is a really useful web site.  This site is all about listing these numbers, saving you money, without having to pay additional charges. To get started and find a particular number, please click on the 'Search to find an alternative number' link at the top of the page.