Commiserations to BT, lying battered and bloodied in the consumer hate gutter after almost 1,800 of you voted for them in yesterday’s Worst Company In Britain 2009 head-to-head with the plucky minnows from United Utilities.

Special technology that we’ve just made up showed that 70% of BT voters clicked on the vote button with extra aggression, suggesting that you REALLY hate them. Well done.

Today sees a numerically-monikered phonedown showdown between the clowns at 3 (or Three, or Trois if you’re French) and the bell ends that are Phones4U. There are ample reasons to vote for either company – in May, 3 tried to sneakily scrap their ‘3 Like Home’ service but we caught them, helping scores of their customers to walk away from their contracts.

Meanwhile, we’re still trembling at the thought of Phones4U’s current ad blitz, which features a pissing Santa. Mmm… what a delightful festive scene.

So, you’ve got until midnight to cast your votes to decide who goes through to the second round. Why not entertain us with your tales of woe involving either or both companies. GO!

A few days ago, we launched our Worst UK Company of 2009 award, urging you to get your nominations in for the brands that have had you tearing your hair out over the past 12 months. So here’s a reminder that we’re still looking for your suggestions.

There’s countless reasons why you might nominate a company – rotten customer service, cack-headed pricing, shoddy packaging or delivery… maybe you just don’t like their logo.

Whoever it is who has got your goat, let us know (preferably telling us why as well) and we’ll cull the nominations down to a more manageable list shortly. Then, the voting will commence.

By the end of the year, we’ll have found a worthy successor to 2008’s winner, Setanta, who ‘tragically’ went tits-up a few months later.