It’s now a case of ‘Big Mother’, not Big Brother, who’s watching you, as hundreds of concerned parents are registering their children’s phone numbers at a new website, which can trace a mobile anywhere in Great Britain.

The site – www.traceamobile.com – is proving popular with families, as they try every method to ensure their children’s safety.

And other users are subscribing to check on the whereabouts of older relatives.

Using the very latest technology, the new service, launched last month, works by homing-in on the signal given out by any registered switched-on handset, allowing its position to be traced to within 100 metres of its location.

The mobiles position is then displayed on an on-screen Ordnance Survey map which can be viewed online.

Jonathan Cook, managing director for TraceAMobile, said: “Families want peace of mind and we provide that. It’s a low cost, completely safe and secure service that only allows registered users to trace a mobile phone.

“We did get a few jealous husbands and wives enquiring if they could trace their partner’s whereabouts! But the phone’s owner has to give their permission first, so there’s no chance of someone being able to trace you without your consent.”

The speed of the trace is virtually instant. A user can log on to the website, enter a password and within seconds they will know the location of the registered phone – and their child or loved one.

It’s also compatible with all the major network operators and works with any handset without modification or extra software, including those on monthly contracts or pay-as-you-go.

Until now, the technology to trace a mobile has only been available to the police and emergency services.

Jonathan Cook said: “According to industry figures the number of mobile phones in the UK now exceeds 50 million and with nearly 70 per cent of secondary school kids owning a phone, this is an ideal way to keep a discreet eye on them.”

“Some critics claim it’s an invasion of privacy, but as the number of reports of missing and abducted children continues to grow, this seems a small price to pay to ensure the safety of your family 24 hours a day.”