The big number change hits the burgeoning mobile phones market this weekend - and many businesses are in grave danger of being caught out, according to Keighley-based Link Telecom, one of the north's largest companies in its industry sector.

Director Mike Bower warns: "From tomorrow, old mobile phone numbers will stop working completely. Companies obviously need to be fully prepared for what represents the biggest-ever change in the industry, but we have become acutely aware of the confusion that continues to exist at what is the eleventh hour.

"Many firms are still not using the new code with what will become the old numbers. They can't get away with it after the weekend as old numbers will be totally unobtainable.

"Some of the number changes are far from easy to predict, and while individual networks will keep their customers aware of changes affecting their own numbers, no one has yet taken overall responsibility for communicating the full picture and the serious implications of non-awareness."

Link Telecom, as one of the region's last remaining independent business-to-business communications specialists, is attempting to redress the balance by producing thousands of give-away desk-top mouse mats and guides detailing exactly how each number code will change.

A freephone call to Link Telecom on 0800 037 3131 will secure a mouse mat, which might just help prevent putting the cat among the pigeons tomorrow!