A spoof website set up to put ex-cons in touch with their former cellmates is now being properly developed after attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.

Convictsreunited.com, set up as a joke to emulate the success of sites like Friends Reunited, is now being developed seriously by its founders following its unexpected success. The site already gets around 1000 hits a week.

Founders Mike Breach and Chris Harvey from Wiltshire now plan to add forums and a prison review section to rate food, accommodation and people, according to reports.

The site's homepage states: "This website is run by ex-convicts, for convicts and ex-convicts who have either lost contact with old prison inmates or may be looking for fellow cons for their next bank job.

"Should you find old friends or colleagues, you can contact them after registering, so you may be able to share those old times again, or work together on your latest venture."

Aspiring criminals needn't worry. The site claims not to discriminate against speeding fine holders in favour of fully fledged jailbirds.