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Mobile phone operator Virgin Media is suffering a major outage, with thousands of customers claiming they are unable to get online or make calls.

The company has been having problems since around 11.30am, according to data from website DownDetector, which monitors online outages.

Recent reports mainly originated from London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds and Leicester, according to the site.

The issue is affecting Virgin Mobile customers, with 66% of people complaining about problems with their mobile phone and 29% with their mobile internet.

"We're working quickly to resolve an issue that's affecting some of our customers making calls, sending text messages and using mobile data," a Virgin Mobile spokesperson told Mirror Online.

"We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused."

The spokesperson added that Virgin Media cable customers (broadband, TV and home phone) are unaffected.

Angry customers took to social media to complain about the outage, with DownDetector recording almost 4,000 tweets per minute at around 1pm this afternoon.

"No network in Essex from late morning," wrote Ren Biggins on DownDetector's forum. "Cannot msg or make any calls out."

"Incoming calls and texts working, no internet, text or phone calls out. South Oxfordshire," wrote Dan Delaney.

"Unable to make or receive calls or texts since about 11 am. I'm in Swansea," added Debbie Thomas.

Virgin Media is yet to offer an explanation as to what is causing the outage, or a timescale for when it is likely to be fixed.

We'll update this article with more information as it becomes available. Read our guide on Virgin Media compensation to find out if you're owed money as a result of the outage.