'Entertainment kiosks' as they have been dubbed are appearing in busy locations across the and UK.

'POP247' have placed their new videogame vending machines in cinemas, airports, railway stations, shopping centres as well as major retailers such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Blockbuster.

The machines are designed to hold up to 400 units of DVDs, Blu-rays or games in less than one-metre squared. It also has a download facility where customers can download and using a memory stick and a games download service will be added sometime next year.

The vending machines were trialled by UCA (a coalition of Universal Studios and Pictures) in a cinema chain. It was so successful that they decided to roll them out across the and US.

Maya Jenkins, senior product manager for UCA said: "We already have games in some machines and the range will expand over the coming months. POP vending really is about being able to offer a hassle-free solution that supports all types of modern entertainment and we have the flexibility to tailor-make an offering to suit a retailer's individual needs, so the range can differ from place-to-place."

Thanks MCV.

By Ewan Aiton