Pemberton's, the village shop on Royston Vasey High Street, has installed its first self-service checkout terminal. The unit, manufactured by a Belgian firm whose name nobody can pronounce, was switched on at 8:00 on Monday morning.

Co-proprietor Edmund Pemberton, 61, was on hand to greet the first customers. 'It's the future,' he said, watching the screen flicker on and off. 'We have always embraced the future. We did the rationing. We will do this.'

His wife Constance, 59, was less enthusiastic. 'It cannot weigh a swede,' she said. 'It refuses. I have shown it three swedes. It will not learn.'

By Tuesday lunchtime the unit had displayed the message UNEXPECTED ITEM IN BAGGING AREA fourteen times, including once when there was nothing in the bagging area. Mr Pemberton was observed standing in front of it for several minutes, holding a tin of corned beef, having what onlookers described as 'a private conversation'.

The kiosk will remain on trial for three months. Cash purchases over the counter are 'still very much welcome'.