THE public can now donate to BBC Children in Need using their mobile phones.

Manx Telecom customers are now able to support the appeal using short text codes on their mobile phones.

There are three codes 70701, 70705, and 70710, and these allow donations of £1, £5 and £10 respectively.

All pay as you go customers and pay monthly mobile customers will be sent a text with a valid donation keyword to one of their numbers and their pay as you go or pay monthly account will be debited with the donation amount.

The full amount of every donation will go to Children in Need and there will be no deductions due to VAT or other charges.

Ian Quiggin, Manx Telecom product co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to offer our mobile customers the opportunity to help support Children In Need for the duration of this year's appeal. Using the short codes is a simple way of making a donation and we are certain that many customers will welcome this service."

The short code text service was introduced in response to feedback from customers who wished to use this method to support Children in Need.

Manx Telecom also set up agreements with companies, known in the telecoms business as aggregators, which co-ordinate the short code system by liaising with different network providers and charities.

Children in Need takes place this Friday, November 19.