A LIVERPOOL-BASED film company has ensured that taxi journeys will never be the same again.

Gone are the days when a talkative cabby exchanges small talk about David Beckham's latest haircut and the weather with his passengers.

Instead, people travelling in a taxi will be treated to a truly cinematic experience with the latest Hollywood movies and top television programmes beamed direct into their cab. Cabvision - the world's first complete in-cab TV system - is to be launched in London today.

And if the scheme turns out to be a success, it could soon come to Liverpool.

Around 10,000 London taxis will be fitted with television and DVD systems offering comedy, lifestyle, news and music programmes.

The scheme is the brainchild of Power Technology, which operates from offices in Water Street in Liverpool city centre.

The company managed to raise the £90m to fund the project which will be piloted in London before being launched in other cities including Liverpool and New York if it is a success in the capital.

Liverpool-born Steven Norris, the former Tory transport minister and one-time candidate to become Mayor of London, will launch the innovative scheme today along with Cabvision chairman Peter Da Costa and Stephen Marsden, chief executive of Tower Technology.

The investment is designed to target members of the business community who have little time to watch television.

Cabvision will have a captive audience with taxi passengers having the benefit of watching a TV screen on even the shortest of journeys.

Stephen Morrison said: "We have looked at many exciting technology-based ventures over the last two years.

"Cabvision is by far the most exciting to date and we believe it will be the most profitable.

"We look forward to assisting in the roll-out of similar media investment opportunities throughout the world in cities like New York, Edinburgh and Liverpool."

Stephen Norris added: "This is clearly a very exciting idea and one which I am sure will prove to be extremely popular.

"If it is a success in London it would be great if the scheme can also be employed in Liverpool and other cities."

Although a number of London taxis have been fitted with Cabvision since 1999, today will mark the official launch of the scheme on a massive scale.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for the launch which takes place at Forbes House in Belgravia.