We all hate being talked at by automated voices when phoning a company, and despise it even more when we then have to sit in a queue awaiting our turn to speak with an agent.

Whilst lying around with flu yesterday, idly channel surfing the TV, a little gem on how to beat automated call centres and get to a real human being immediately, popped up. Various methods were given, including how to bypass the PC World system.

So if you need to phone the retail outlet, and want to avoid being caught in call centre hell, here's how to beat it, courtesy of ITV's 5 O'Clock Show:

"PC World - main number is 08702 420 444 – press * then the 4 digit store number (which is on the top of your receipt) i.e. 4802 for Gloucester, then #, and you will get through to your chosen store."

We tried it, and it works, and the programme makers have put a list of other cheats online as well, so it's worth taking a look at their site.