Monthly UK text message volumes reached an all-time high in January, according to figures released by the Mobile Data Association (MDA).

The number of personal text messages sent across UK GSM networks in January 2003 totalled 1.65 billion, equating to a daily average of 53 million.

This compares to a daily average of 45 million in January 2002 and 30 million in January 2001.

The MDA also said that it has found the person who it believes to be the UK's oldest user of text messaging.

Its research revealed that Betty Turner, a 78 year-old great-grandmother from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, regularly uses SMS to keep in contact with her grandchildren.

"2003 has already seen text messaging usage soar and daily records broken," said the MDA.

"On New Year's Day 102 million messages were sent, compared to 64 million sent in the previous year. Valentine's Day saw 78 million messages sent compared to 57.5 million in 2002.

"For the year ahead the MDA forecasts continued growth, with text messaging expected to reach 20 billion for 2003."