An innovative new project has been launched by the Leicester Mercury to strengthen links with its audience.

Readers can now interact with the paper while shopping after new technology was installed at two city shopping centres.

Two new media kiosks have been opened at the Fenwicks and Fosse Shopping Centre allowing people to log on to the Mercury at any time of day.

Readers can use the large touch-screen computers to look up news stories, view photographs used in the paper and even place adverts on-line.

And the good news for the newsdesk is that readers can contact reporters about stories by e-mailing a message to the newsroom.

Mercury systems support programmer, Chris Dawkins, said: “The idea is to give people a wider access for various services which the Mercury provides.

“Six months ago we wrote new software to make the kiosks more interactive. Now we are waiting to see how it is used and there are plans to put it elsewhere if it takes off.”

The advertising section allows users to place adverts and find out about advertising rates and packages.

A picture search enables readers to view any photograph used in the paper over the last month, and the Have Your Say feature gives them the chance to give their views on any issue.

Mark Cartwright, manager of the Fosse Park Shopping Centre, said: “It has been very popular. The Mercury has always been ahead in new technology.”

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