Handset maker, Sony Ericsson has been flooded with hundreds of complaints from customers claiming cracks appeared on their Xperia Arc handset.

Customers say that cracks appear above and below the front-facing light sensor just above the brand name. Several messages have been posted on Sony Ericsson message boards and some are suggesting that the fault might not be covered under the manufacturer warranty.

Sony Ericsson has said that all repair agents have been informed but customers are reporting that the company is still not ready to accept that it is a manufacturing defect. Customers say that they did not damage the phone physically and some even said that crack appeared while the handset was in a protective case.

A Sony Ericsson spokesperson said: "We have been made aware by some users that a small number of our Xperia Arc smartphones have a small crack in the paint, near the proximity sensor at the top. Such a micro-fracture is unlikely to affect handset performance. However, consumers can call 08705 237 237, if they are concerned."