Mobile phone companies, desperate to fill the gap in the market for indestructible devices, are researching technology which will enable them to manufacture flexible handsets.

The phones, which will be able to be rolled, dropped, squished, thrown and stepped on, are set to be going to be available next year.

Early prototypes by Nokia, Samsung and an array of other industry giants have drawn crowds at tech shows around the country and rumours are circulating that 2013 could well be the year of the bendy mobile.