20 years since first SMS

First text message sent 20 years ago today

The first text ever sent, twenty years ago today, said Merry Christmas. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Twenty years since the first text message was sent, texting is now the most popular way to stay in contact, according to Ofcom.

The first ever text was sent on December 3 1992, when Neil Papwell, a 22-year-old British engineer used his computer to send the message "Merry Christmas" to an Orbitel 901 mobile phone.

According to Ofcom, the average person in the UK now sends 50 text messages every week, but younger teenagers send a lot more than this; 12-15-year-olds send an average of 193 texts every week.

Texting has spawned its own entire language of acronyms, which can confuse. The Prime Minister David Cameron's relationship with former editor of the News of the World Rebekah Brooks was revealed after a number of unseen texts between the pair were published.

We asked readers for the best or most memorable text they had ever received or sent. Here are some of the best responses:

Texting my partner that I was pregnant from the bathroom because I was too scared to say it in person, lol x

– Chantelle-Rose Hall

I received a memorable text 5 months ago ... from my husband ... telling another woman that she had a fantastic body and he should hold it more often ... I bet it's one he will never forget sending ... (to me ... instead of her) because .... I dumped him

– Teresa Traves

I send a text to the wrong number who was 250 miles away but knew what I was meaning by the information I sent. I'm now married to that person 8 yrs later.

– Valerie Snowley

My son asked me: Dad can you order me pizza and chips two cokes Amy's pregnant and extra chips please?

– Michael John Ross

Sorry, I can't marry you (4 weeks before the wedding)

– Alasdair Roxburgh

I asked my then boyfriend to marry me! Lol xxx

– Sue Collins

''Im leaving you'' to the ex hubby!!

– Amanda Newton