function check_form(){
    $('#contact_form TR.req_fields').remove();
    $('#contact_form TR.error').removeClass('error');

    var $empty_inputs = $('#contact_form INPUT:text:not([value])');

    $empty_inputs.each(function(){
        $(this).parents('TR').addClass('error')
        });

    if ($empty_inputs.length){
        // Why bother with dom manipulation for a simple case like this direct string value is fast
        $('#contact_form TABLE').prepend('<tr class="req_fields error"><td colspan="2">Required fields missing:</td></tr>');
        return false;
        }

    return true;
    }