City centre visitors are to get a high-tech helping hand from giant iPad-style touchscreens.

The 10 interactive ‘kiosks’ will provide instant local information for passers-by, putting Manchester at their fingertips.

Council chiefs hope they will help make the city an international digital capital.

The cost of installing the screens is expected to be covered by advertising income, and will not take funds from the public purse. They feature futuristic technology straight from the Hollywood movie Minority Report, with scanners which monitor onlookers to identify their approximate age and gender – and then serve up adverts to suit them.

They will also feature live news headlines from the M.E.N. Known as ‘MiGuides’, they are already used in New York but are new to this country.

The network, being introduced by Manchester City Council and its outdoor advertising partner MediaCo, is cost neutral to the council in a model believed to be unique in the UK.

Coun Nigel Murphy said: “Manchester is intent on becoming one of the world’s leading digital cities and one aspect of that is innovations such as MiGuide which use the latest technology to improve people’s experience of the city.

“It’s not just about getting around the city – it’s about getting the most out of it. These digital kiosks will be an informative, useful and engaging addition to our city centre streets and I’m confident they will prove popular.

“In the months ahead the content will keep growing and we’ll keep looking at imaginative ways which people can use the screens to interact with the city.”

The screens will grace streets around Exchange Square, Market Street, St Ann’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens and are expected to go live in the next few days.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said thousands of would benefit from the service. He added: “The screens will keep tourists and locals alike up-to-date and in the know about Manchester’s exhibitions, attractions, transport, restaurants, shops and nightlife.”

Those behind the project – including design firm Magnetic North – hope the idea will now take off in other British cities.