NTL has launched an internal investigation following allegations that a Web site critical of the company was hacked by someone from within the cableco.

The alleged incident, which took place on New Year's Eve, resulted in subscribers of ntlhell.co.uk receiving an email containing the phrase "ntlhell.co.uk is shitntlhell.co.uk" repeated almost 300 times.

One insider told The Register that the perpetrator was "very clumsy" and left a blatant 'trail' which leads back to NTL.

The matter was reported to NTL's abuse team on January 1 although the cableco has yet to respond officially. A spokeswoman for NTL confirmed that a complaint had been made and that the cableco "takes such allegations very seriously".

"NTL is carrying out a full investigation," she said. ®