Little Mix have hit out at online trolls and mischief-makers.

The rise in popularity of social networking website Twitter has unfortunately seen an increase in hate messages sent from internet users to music artists.

One Direction star Zayn Malik recently shut down his account after receiving acerbic abuse, before reinstating it soon after.

Speaking to Capital FM, Little Mix discouraged the "awful" practice of internet trolling and lamented the people behind it.

Jade Thirlwall said: "It is awful isn't it? I mean, it is bullying at the end of the day. It obviously makes them feel better by doing it. Because they don't think they are ever going to meet you or see you."

Bandmate Jesy Nelson meanwhile added: "I really think those people have just got no life whatsoever, to be able to have time in their day to sit there and be nasty about people when you don't even know them. I just think it's disgusting."