The parent company of a Bradford internet firm has teamed up with a Taiwanese firm to launch a gadget to help to cut the cost of telephone calls.

And, after the announcement yesterday, Business Serve, which owns Bradford IT group Legend Internet, saw its share price soar.

The company has joined Zyxel Communications to make it easier for people to make calls over the internet using a device sold through high street electrical stores.

Business Serve, which already provides its communications technology to small and medium-sized businesses, said the venture was a key step in bringing cheaper calls to the public.

The system will allow people to make internet calls using Zyxel's hardware and Business Serve's network and software.

Business Serve said the "plug and play" technology would be in stores by the end of the month and would allow consumers to substantially reduce the cost of their fixed-line telephone calls.

Chief executive Simon Cleaver described the move as a "major" step forward which would make the technology accessible to the public without the need for specialist knowledge on how to fit the equipment.

Business Serve, which bought Sunbridge Road-based Legend Internet in November 2003, said it had also received approaches from a number of key companies in the telecoms industry interested in striking similar deals.

The company, which is listed on the London stock market, has rapidly expanded in recent years and employs more than 200 at five UK offices, including Bradford.

Taiwan-based Zyxel is one of the world's leading broadband specialists, with more than 1,000 employees worldwide. Its products are marketed in more than 150 countries.

Shares in Business Serve rose nearly three per cent yesterday, up 2p to 76.5p.