BT will encourage broadband users to set up a subscription to its Digital Vault file back up service.

The Digital Vault was launched in 2006 to give broadband users a location to back up important files online.

Now BT will charge any customers who are not signed up to its Total Broadband package £4.99 per month for an increased storage allowance of 50Gb.

Customers who do not sign up before October 30th will not be able to add any more files over 1Gb of data unless they upgrade

"Make sure you upgrade now to get continuous protection for all your precious photos, files and more," the telecoms giant urged.

Subscribers to BT's Total Broadband package are currently given 5Gb of storage for free.

As BT explained: "The majority of users are BT Total Broadband customers who qualify for the larger 5GB product for free, this is why we are now withdrawing the product."