The iPhone app uses GPS to locate the member's position and then puts them through to the RTR call centre who despatches local recovery to the scene.

Under the Road To Recovery scheme, which is free to join, the cost of recovery is said to be 50-60% cheaper than contacting a local recovery operator direct because all RTR providers sign up to a fair pricing commitment.

Commenting on the firm's pay as you go breakdown recovery scheme and the new app, Paul Hoyle, MD of RTR, said: 'We decided that people shouldn’t have to take a chance and pay for a service they may not use but if they did need it that it should be priced fairly. We have now taken an innovative service and created an innovative way to access it through the app. We think it’s the future of breakdown cover!'

Currently the app is available for the iPhone but will be rolled out to other handsets shortly.