Mobile phone users could soon be able to charge their handsets at kiosks if a trial beginning next month proves successful. London-based Nearplay Systems has launched Charge Me, which allows punters to charge up their mobile phone or PDA while out and about.

The service costs 50p for five minutes or £1 for ten minutes - will be trialled in central London from next month in venues including Victoria and Waterloo stations, and Heathrow Airport. Nearplay is negotiating to roll-out these booths throughout the UK and Europe.

Each kiosk can handle up to 12 phones at one time. The idea is that you plug your phone in, pays your money, and it charges up your device. The kiosk can currently charge Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, Siemens, Sony, Samsung and Palm devices.

Of course, you might find that while looking for one of these booths, it might be simpler to use a payphone. ®