PEOPLE in Colchester are the first in the world to get information by simply pointing mobile phones at adverts in the street.

Mobile phone giant Nokia is trialling the system at bus shelters in the town, before possibly taking it internationally.

Anyone with a Nokia Smartphone, who downloads the software, can receive details about a wide range of services using the new technology.

Alongside the posters are a series of icons which can be scanned to receive local information, as well as news and sport.

Users can find out about cinemas, clubs, bars, restaurants, shopping, taxis, train times, parking, hotels, pharmacies and bank machines.

It also has a shopping feature that allows you to scan barcodes to get product information, such as best prices.

Once the user downloads the software to use the system, the phone uses a combination of its advanced image recognition, web connectivity and global positioning system technology to scan the image and send back the information.

For example, pointing a phone at a film poster allows the user to see the trailer and get details about the nearest cinema in relation to where they are at the time.

Nokia has placed posters in 178 bus shelters to test the new technology, called Point and Find.

Mark Hindle, a spokesman for Nokia, said: “There has been a fairly good response so far.

“It only started last week, but if it takes off, it could be going international.”

The pilot scheme runs until next month.

People with a Nokia Smartphone can download the application by texting HERE to 81066.