Pi-Tag - www.pi-tag.com

Having decided to take a well earned break from the UK, I went looking for some new luggage tags. I found a number of sites on the internet but the best I found was a site called Pi-Tag.com. Pi-Tag.com was on BBC Radio 2's website of the day in March 2005 and it was through the Radio 2 website that I found it.

It now costs just £9.99 to register for one year - and for that you get your choice of 2 tags. You can purchase additional tags online if you wish.

Once registered, an activation code is sent to your registered address to verify your contact details and a unique Pi-Tag number is assigned to you.

If someone finds your bag, they don't know your home address or telephone number but they are told on the tag to contact you at Pi-Tag.com - or by calling the international 0870 number. If you ring the telephone number, an automated service records the message and sends it automatically to your chosen email address. People with internet access can send an email online from the Pi-Tag site - or an SMS text message - if you've registered a mobile number.

The great thing is that whoever finds your bag - or sees your tag at the airport, no one knows your address or home telephone number. So you needn't worry about someone breaking into your home while you're away.

Another great thing is that you can tell finders how they can contact you after you've lost your bag - Simply log into your Pi-Tag account and enter additional contact information - like the hotel telephone you're staying at. Whoever finds your bag will be told this information - either over the phone or online when they enter your Pi-Tag ID.

The Pi-Tag tags look great and the site seems to work well. You should check it out.

I came across www.pi-tag.come after hearing Miles Mendoza reviewing it on BBC Radio 2's website of the day and I have to say that I was very impressed with the design and idea of the site.

pi-tag.com is a UK site that allows people to register for free and then to tag their items with a unique pi-tag number which links to their contact details online. If someone then finds your lost luggage, keys, mobile and even your pet, they are directed to the site's homepage where they are able to contact you, either by sending you an SMS text message or by sending a message to your email address. If they do not have internet access, they can ring a telephone number and the recorded message is sent to your email address. The great thing about this is that wherever you are in the world, you can always access your emails to find out how to recover your lost item - and no-one need know your address or telephone number if you don't want them to.

You can also give your pi-tag number to family and friends - and if they are registered and know your surname (and provided you haven't opted to remain private), they can look up your contact details online. The great thing about this site though, is that you can log in and see the contact details of anyone who has looked at your details.

It costs absolutely nothing to register but they do sell various tags online (which I think they're hoping you'll buy).

I think the idea is great and I'm sure it will take off. At the moment numbers are still in the 5000s which is why I got in now - before they get too high!