Wallace and Gromit animation company Aardman has designed 25 emoticons for Microsoft's Tablet PC, including pictures for 'Fancy a drink?', 'Can't be bothered to reply' and 'Pants'.

Microsoft claimed that the new emoticons will give people greater freedom to express themselves.

More than 42 per cent of e-mail users want to ditch typical happy/sad facial expressions in favour of more creative ones.

A Microsoft spokesman said that, although emoticons are hugely popular, they are limited in the emotions they can express.

"The launch of the Tablet PC gives people unlimited freedom to individually express themselves," said the company.

Microsoft added that the Tablet's LCD will allow users to write email and documents directly onto the screen using a digital pen.