Ananova makes her debut

Ananova makes her debut at a London press conference

The world's first virtual newsreader on the internet has been launched in London.

Computer-generated Ananova is programmed to deliver news 24 hours a day when her site goes live on Wednesday.

She speaks with an accent described as "mid-Atlantic" to avoid users being distracted by a regional accent.

Her first words at a press launch on Tuesday were: "Good morning, I'm Ananova. I've been locked in a room for 12 months with nothing but geeks and techies for company."

Ananova: Appearing on a mobile phone near you soon

Created by a division of the UK Press Association news agency, her creators say she has a full range of human characteristics after researching the personality people most want to see reading the news.

Team leader Mark Spanton said: "The challenge was to create a global personality that had to be trustworthy, believable, and very distinctive."

She will appear on the internet at first, and will later appear on mobile phones.

Ananova Limited publishing director Mark Hird said: "Ananova has not been designed to replace TV newsreaders.

"She has been designed for the next generation of mobile interactive devices through which she will bring you the information that's important to you and help you carry out transactions whenever you need to, wherever you are."