function check_length(my_form)
{
maxLen = 160; // max number of characters allowed
if (my_form.my_text.value.length >= maxLen) {
// Alert message if maximum limit is reached. 
// If required Alert can be removed. 
var msg = "You have reached your maximum limit of characters allowed";
alert(msg);
// Reached the Maximum length so trim the textarea
my_form.my_text.value = my_form.my_text.value.substring(0, maxLen);
}
else{ // Maximum length not reached so update the value of my_text counter
my_form.text_num.value = maxLen - my_form.my_text.value.length;}
}