Imagine a printed newspaper that reads itself, and interacts with internet-based systems. British newspaper the ‘Lancashire Evening Post’ is a partner in a project which promises that and more.

Latest prototypes of the paper produced as part of a project led by the University of Central Lancashire’s school of journalism and media communications have buttons which play audio when pressed.

The programme – which seeks to expand connections between print newspapers and the internet – is supported by a £372,000 (A$580,000) grant from Britain’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

The technology makes use of developments in printed electronics which allow digital devices and interfaces to be created within printed matter. These include audio storage, speakers, microphones, buttons, sliders, LED displays, colour changing fibres and mobile communication.

Among these properties ‘Interactive Newsprint’ plans to exploit touch sensitive areas, text displays, and printed speakers, building on research from an earlier UK Digital Economy project. Currently wireless headphones are being used to deliver greater audio clarity.

Latest features include Facebook likes, story rating and voting, as well as a full audio recording of an interview with British prime minister David Cameron.

Researchers led by UCLAN digital coordinator Paul Egglestone also hope they will find ways of discovering which articles and advertisements attract readers’ attention, enabling publishers to gather audience data.

The ‘Lancashire Evening Post’ already has a ‘talking newspapers’ project for the blind, which processes a PDF of the paper into a text-to-speech format. Citizen press agency Citizenside and community newspaper Blog Preston are also involved in the Interactive Newsprint project.