A GPS-based child tracking system has been launched in the UK aimed at the 'back to school' market.

Blue Tree Services is offering continuous location tracking with four-metre accuracy for £19.95 per month. The unit is a smaller and more affordable version of the UK personal GPS tracking system launched in March.

Children are monitored with a lightweight BlueRanger GPS tracking device which allows the parent to view the child's position on a personalised mapping system.

This can be performed either through a secure website on the internet or a mobile or PDA device.

The mobile device shows its own location as well as that of the monitored units, making it easier to find someone on the move. The web-based application is also designed to make it easy to track large numbers of children simultaneously.

The system also includes an optional panic alarm which allows the child to alert parents if they are in trouble.

A movement sensor can detect whether the unit is being worn or has been subjected to a shock such as a fall, while the unit features a low-battery alarm and unlimited 'geofence' boundaries with alarms.

Mike Smuts, managing director of Blue Tree Services, said: "We have seen a huge demand for this product from across all sectors of society.

"It is good to know that parents can allow their children a little more freedom and at the same time manage their independence.

"The BlueRanger GPS tracking system allows them to constantly review the location and wellbeing of their child, and be alerted if something is wrong."

The service uses GPS and the mobile data network to send positioning information to secure servers which relay information back to the licence holder showing the location of the units anywhere in the UK or Ireland.

The units are designed to maintain a fixed cost for data transmission, allowing the operators of the unit to be able to budget efficiently.