Winchester has been chosen to pioneer the provision of automatic cash dispensers in tourist information centres.

Mayor of Winchester, John Steel, launched the new service yesterday (Thursday) when he made the first official cash withdrawal from the machine.

Staff are confident the dispenser will benefit visitors, residents and conference delegates.

Stuart Fensome, senior information assistant, said: "Visitors are always asking where the nearest cash machine is and we are delighted to be able to tell them that we now offer this service."

Between them, the TIC and the Guildhall have around 300,000 visitors each year.