NATIONWIDE Building Society is among the satisfied clients of Britain's newest business picture provider.

Swindon-based Pixmedia has been set up to provide high-resolution pictures for the media on behalf of corporates, charities and the public sector.

Founder Simon Apps says technical delays are a thing of the past because the image distribution system bypasses internal firewall problems and allows immediate access.

Because registration is online and the picture bank is internet-based, the images are available 24 hours a day.

Mr Apps launched Pixmedia because he realised many large businesses were unhappy with their image management.

He said: "One particular problem was delays. Sometimes simple tasks would take days. One company experienced some fairly critical mistakes. A photograph was emailed to a publication that was not just the wrong person but the wrong sex.

"By using Pixmedia the chances of that happening are virtually nil. All bona fide journalists can register for free and choose pictures from each company's external folder.

"Our system makes it easier for everyone."

Pixmedia has been backed by serial IT entrepreneur Bob Jones, who has founded four telecom start-ups and is currently managing director of Swindon server firm Equiinet.

Tim Hughes, head of external relations at Nationwide, said: "Pixmedia is intuitive and easy to use. We are able to email pictures and press releases without delay as we bypass our internal firewalls making photo distribution a more efficient process."

The site is at www.pixmedia.-co.uk