Email strain topples Blair

Downing Street has been forced to upgrade its email server after the old system ground to a halt under the weight of traffic.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's website at http://www.number-10.gov.uk offers news and information about central government policies and services, sending email alerts to subscribed users.

But as the number of emails being sent out increased over the general election period, users began to receive information erratically in multiple copies or not at all.

A spokesman for 10 Downing Street told silicon.com: "One of the problems with the old system was that it was oversubscribed. So we decided to install a new and better system."

The new email system, which took a month to set up, offers increased personalisation and allows users to choose whether they want daily, weekly or monthly updates.

"It will be better for users and be better able to cope with the demand," the spokesman added.

The spokeswoman declined to mention which manufacturer had been chosen to supply the Prime Minister's email server.