function validate_contact() {
    var name = $('#contact_name').val();
    var email = $('#contact_email').val();
    var message = $('#contact_message').val();
     
    if (name == "") {
	$('#error_message').hide();
	$('#error_message').html("Please enter you name");
	$('#error_message').show();
	return false;
    }
    if (email == "") {
	$('#error_message').hide();
	$('#error_message').html("Please enter your email address");
	$('#error_message').show();
	return false;
    }
    if (message == "") {
	$('#error_message').hide();
	$('#error_message').html("Please enter your message to Andy");
	$('#error_message').show();
	return false;
    }
    
    $.ajax({
        url     : 'user/submit_message',
        type    : "post",
        timeout : 10000,
        data    : ({name : name,
                    email : email,
		    message : message}),
        dataType: "json",
        error   : function(XMLHttpRequest, textStatus, errorThrown) {
                    alert("An error has occurred, please try again later");
                   
                  },
        success : function(response) {
		    if (response.success == true) {
			$('#storiesDiv').hide();
			$('#storiesDiv').html("<table width='130' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='3' border='0' align='center'>" +
			"<tr><td>You have successfully submitted your message</td></tr></table>");
			$('#storiesDiv').show();
		    } else {
			$('#error_message').hide();
			$('#error_message').html("There was a problem submitting message, please try again later");
			$('#error_message').show();
		    }
                  }
    });
    return true;
    
    return true;
}