A FIRM is planning to bring the information superhighway to the motorway after striking a major deal.

Interactive Touchscreen Systems is installing internet terminals at service stations under a trial with leisure giant Granada.

Visitors will be able to surf the web and send emails for free in special areas being set up within the service stations on the M1 at Toddington and M4 at Delamere.

If the trial works the screens could be rolled out throughout the country.

The firm is also installing terminals on a trial basis at Little Chefs. Customers will be able to visit sites and send emails using the touchscreens sited next to tables. Eventually they may be able to order their food and pay for it using the screens.

"Many people who are not used to dealing with computers are put off by a key board and a mouse but are comfortable pressing a touchscreen," said John Delaney, managing director of the Darwen firm.

John has been involved with touchscreens for several years with a sister company which supplies games machines to pubs.

"We have tried the internet terminals in pubs but they don't have the huge number of people passing through that service stations and Little Chefs have."

The firms is also installing an internet terminal at Bolton Wanderers' Reebok stadium which will be able to give player statistics, and link to live televison coverage. The firm is now trying to secure sponsorship deals which will subsidise the internet access on the terminals.