Any web surfer knows the importance of a bookmarks list – instead of manually typing in the address of a site, it is simply selected from a stored list.

The problem is that over time the list can grow to immense proportions – you might end up bookmarking a site two or three times by mistake, or discover that a link no longer works.

AM-Deadlink is a free program that works with most popular web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera. It goes through your entire bookmarks or favourites checking that all of the links still work.

You can then choose what to do with those that don’t – either delete them or search for an updated link that does work. It can also locate – and remove – duplicate links, enabling you to bring your list back under control.