NORTH West Labour MEPs have campaigned hard to end unfair charges for consumers using their mobile abroad.

Now from July 1 sending a text from another EU country costs a maximum of 11p while the maximum charge to make a call is 43p and 19p to receive.

The new law sends out a clear message to mobile operators to cut their prices - they were warned to end rip off prices and now action has been taken.

MEP Arlene McCarthy said: "Labour Euro MPs have campaigned hard to end unfair charges for consumers using their mobile abroad. We warned the mobile operators to cut their prices and they didn't respond so we had no choice but to bring in this new law to end the rip off.

"Prices for sending a text from another EU country will be cut by more than half from today, and calls will get cheaper too, all in time for the summer holiday season.

Arelene added: "Particularly at a time when people's budgets are tight, every little helps. Ensuring people don't come home to an outrageous phone bill after their holiday means there will be one less thing to worry about this summer.

"Travellers will also get more information on what they will be charged and those who want to access the internet or send email while abroad can set a limit on how much they are willing to spend, ending shocking cases like one constituent of mine who got a bill for more than £2,000 after a short holiday in Italy."