[asterisk-users] Matching "+" characters in dial plan

[Ed W]

Can someone please explain how to match a + character in a dial plan (so 
that I can swap it for the "00" country escape code).

In Europe at least the + is a common shortcut for the international 
prefix (which is "00" in my country).  However, my trunk chokes on the + 
character and all my speed-dials are setup with a + at the start of 
them... Trying to fix the phone rather than the addressbook...

Thanks

Ed W