Thinking of sending an Essex Girl joke by e-mail? Think again. The joke may be on you.

An increasing number of companies are clamping down on the age old jokes in a bid to stop workers e-mailing offensive material.

Computer consultants have listed the words Essex Girls as among the most offensive.

Under the system, which is being used by some local authorities, words are giving different ratings.

Essex Girl is given 30 points by consultants Peapod UK, the same as dumb blonde and big girl.

The words bimbo, in the buff and equality get 20 points.

Include too many of the high-scoring words in one e-mail and the memo may be stored by your boss.

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