This year has been a grim one for the internet fraternity; the problems at Boxman.com are just the latest.

While sports fashion e-tailer Boo.com made the biggest headlines when it ceased trading in May, there have been others since.

Earlier this month Powernet Telecom , the internet company chaired by the Marquess of Huntly, was forced into receivership with debts of £30m.

Before this, Callnet , the internet service provider, went into administration and was forced to bring in BDO Stoy Hayward to try to find a trade buyer.

Leisureplanet.com , a travel site, went the same way and Clickmango, the health e-tailer, was forced to cease trading earlier this year.

Even ventures with heavyweight support have found the going hard. Efdex , backed by IBM and Dell, closed its UK arm and despite Disney backing Toysmart.com fell by the wayside.