POSTCARDS arriving weeks after you return from your summer holiday could be a thing of the past, thanks to a revolutionary online system.

DVE.net in Templars Way Industrial Estate, Wootton Bassett, have installed their first Easy Postcard Kiosk which cost £50,000 to develop in the Clarendon shopping centre in Oxford on Monday.

And Bryan Welsh, business development manager, says this could mark the end of the humble postcard. "People will now be able to send their messages in real time without the risk of it being lost in the post."

The idea was the brainchild of French student Sebastian Begnis from Oxford, who awarded the contract to make the device to DVE.net.

Tourists simply insert a pound coin into the machine, choose an image from a well-stocked picture library and have their photo imposed on it.

A special pen attached to the screen allows a message to be written. The message is then instantly sent via email to the receiver.

The firm is busy finding more clients across the UK.

Mr Welsh said he is looking into the possibility of bringing a kiosk to Swindon.

"We are in discussions with the head offices of stores and shopping centres in the town and we would be very keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in this revolutionary system," he said.