CASH machines are likely to start spewing out marketing literature and money-off vouchers to customers, if plans from a British-owned company bear fruit.

ATM Marketing, a unit of ATM Network (UK), is in negotiation with the main banks about proceeding with a pilot test of the marketing system here, according to managing director Mr Tom Kay.

The company operates a system with NatWest Bank in Britain and is in talks with three building societies there, Mr Kay said.

Customers who withdraw money from a NatWest machine now receive vouchers for products such as Mars and McDonald's as well as the Guardian newspaper and Pizza Hut.

Mr Kay said the idea works particularly well for media and leisure products. Money-off vouchers for the Dady Mail had been very successful, he said. And West End shows Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard are due to start advertising.

"With 75 per cent of cash withdrawals being made through ATMs, this is a medium the consumer is very familiar with. Indeed, no other medium can deliver a retailer's offer to a potential customer with cash in their hand," Mr Kay added.