TELEPHONE boxes could soon be fitted with cash machines in a trial scheme planned for Winchester.

The move by BT is aimed at securing the long-term future of public payphones on the street against the continued growth in popularity of the mobile phone.

In a planning application submitted by BT in Winchester, the company proposes converting their payphone on Market Street next to the Cathedral to include an automated teller machine (ATM).

The service would be run by cash dispensing firm Travelex and would allow people to withdraw money at the same time as making a call.

Ironically, future plans for the kiosks could include a mobile phone pay-as-you-go top-up service accessible from inside the payphone booth.

Trial ATM phone booths have already hit the streets, with the first one launched in Sutton in Surrey. Other boxes also grace the streets in London, and there is even one in Portsmouth.

However, Winchester's box is thought to be the first to involve re-fitting a booth.

Nick Cockett of Travelex said: "We chose a relatively small number of sites, including Winchester, where we believe there will be demand for the service. Location is the key for us.

"The telephone kiosk ATMs will help make our services more widely available and in locations that are convenient for customers.

"There are many busy areas where, because it's difficult to provide standard ATMs, there are currently no cash machines."

For security purposes, the cash machine will also be fitted with an ink-staining system - a DNA-traceable, indelible powder that stains everything including the cash - activated if an attempt is made to steal from the kiosk.

Winchester City Council is expected to decide on the application next month.