AN Internet company has launched an investigation after an East Lancashire businessman claimed he received an abusive message from a salesman.

When mortgage broker Chris Delaney caught up with his mobile phone messages, he said he was met by a torrent of online foul-mouthed abuse - from the very salesman who had earlier been trying to sweet-talk him.

Chris, 23, of Ribchester, had repeatedly told the persistent phone seller that he did not want to add a new internet and text service to his portfolio.

He switched off the phone to get rid of the salesman, but when he picked up his voicemail messages later, the seller had lost his composure, he claims.

"He called me a 'Bolshie great ******* !' said Chris. "It was a bit of a shock."

Now, Chris, who works for a firm of mortgage brokers in Preston, has lodged a complaint with the company the salesman was representing, Genie.co.uk.

"They've told me they will look into it, and try to find who the salesman was, so they can take any disciplinary action," he added.

The salesman had nagged Chris so much he decided to put his mobile into answer mode so he wouldn't be bothered again. "He just lost his rag," he said.

Chris's embarrassment was compounded when colleagues heard the verbal attack. "They couldn't believe it," he added.

A spokesman for Genie.co.uk expressed surprise at what had happened and said the matter would be investigated.