Messaging system and method

A messaging system and method are disclosed for allowing a caller (24) to leave a message for a subscriber (24), the caller (24) and the subscriber (24) being in communication by means of a cellular network (14). The cellular network (14) has a primary message storage means for allowing a message to be stored by the caller (24) for the subscriber (24) for later retrieval by the subscriber (24). The system of the present invention comprises an IVR unit (12) that includes a secondary message storage means (18), a telephony interface (22) for allowing the subscriber (24) to access the secondary message storage means (18) and control means (20) for controlling the system. The secondary message storage means (18) comprises a plurality of separate and distinguishable storage addresses, with the subscriber (24) being associated with at least one of the storage addresses. In use, the control means (20) allows the subscriber (24) to select and retrieve a message from any one of his or her secondary storage addresses.