The Dorset Echo is putting readers in the picture when it comes to photosales – with what is believed to be one of the first systems of its kind in the country.

The daily title is rolling out a new way to give potential customers the chance to view the work of its staff photographers.

A whole series of photos can now be seen on a computer monitor in the front window of the Echo’s Dorchester district office.

Using a redundant terminal from the advertising department and a £75 piece of software, the Echo can now display a whole series of pictures at once.

Staff photographers compile a CD of the best pictures from a particular period – a week or fortnight – and run them on the front window monitor. Each picture is displayed in a slide show style for eight to 10 seconds and the vital code number is included to make purchases easier for customers.

The rolling display also includes regular ‘advertisements’ reminding viewers just how easy it is to buy a photograph.

This new system is not only fast, but also ends the need for costly off-site colour reprints to be made for display purposes.

The latest Echo pictures can be viewed at the Antelope Walk, Dorchester, district office. This is to be followed by a similar installation in the Weymouth town centre and Bridport Echo offices.

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