The Verballs is a new range of character internet phones which let you make unlimited, great quality phone and video calls to anywhere in the world for free.

They have been invented by farmer Richard Counsell who was also behind Pig Brother in which five pigs named Blair, Brown, Widdecombe, Portillo and Becket battled it out to stay in a sty designed by Changing Rooms' presenters Handy Andy and Laura Macrae. More than 3 million people worldwide visited the web site to play the game and raise funds for farms hit by Foot and Mouth disease (Blair the Tamworth won in the end - we're saying nothing).

Verballs work with Skype and MSN and the five Verballs Mr V, Britney, Baby, Striker and Slick are incredibly easy to use. Just plug them into your USB hub, download the free software and you're ready to talk, hands-free via your broadband Internet connection. Calls to other Skype or MSN users are free. Calls to landlines and mobiles costs just pennies a minute.

Richard also invented the Twister duvet cover of which Kylie Minogue was such a big fan. He splits his time between inventing and farming. A Verball costs £29.95 and they are available online and at Hamleys and Selfridges.