Nuisance calls made my phone 'an item of torture'

Companies that plague members of the public with unwanted calls could face bigger fines under new government plans.

Ministers also want to make penalties easier to impose. Currently firms can only be punished if "substantial damage" is caused to householders.

Anita White was receiving at least five phone calls a week, even though her phone was unplugged most of the time.

She told BBC News that it had become an "item of torture".