An interactive information guide or 'totem' - the first in a series planned for Norwich. Photo Katie Brinkley © Culture24 / HEART

Norwich has zoomed streets ahead of other UK heritage cities with a new innovation that is making the city’s internationally renowned heritage fully interactive.

The first in a series of interactive information guides or 'totems' planned for Norwich has just been installed in front of the city’s great Norman Castle.

It's the first time the technology has been used like this in the UK and Norwich’s residents and tourists will be among the first in the world to use the new inforamtion posts to aid their understanding of heritage hot spots as they wander around the city.

Fitted with pioneering Hypertag technology, the totem gives out information, images and film.

Bluetooth technology called Hypertag allows people to transfer information and images onto their mobile phone or handheld computer. Photo Katie Brinkley © Culture24 / HEART

Using Bluetooth, Hypertag then allows people to transfer the totem’s information and images onto their mobile phone or handheld computer. The quick, free service provides people with something they can take away with them and access again.

“The most compelling parts of the city’s heritage are in danger of disappearing from peoples’ consciousness so these interactive totems are a great new way for us to make heritage more accessible and appealing to both local people and visitors,” said Mike Loveday, Norwich's 'Heritage Czar' and Chief Executive of Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART).

“We hope that both residents and tourists will use the totems to learn more about their heritage as they walk around the city, especially some of the buildings which are not normally open to the public.”

Further totems will be installed near the other eleven buildings that make up Norwich 12, one the UK’s finest collection of individually outstanding heritage buildings. Totem sites will include Norwich’s two Cathedrals, The Guildhall and The Millenium Forum.

Norwich Castle is the first Hypertag interpretation used in this way in Britain. Photo Katie Brinkley © Culture 24 / HEART

“Norwich Castle is honoured to be the subject of the first Hypertag interpretation used in this way in Britain,” said Vanessa Trevelyan, Head of Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service.

“The Castle is an iconic heritage building and also contains historic collections of international significance presented in a lively contemporary way. The new totem will raise awareness of the Castle and Norwich as a whole.”

A further 11 totems will be installed over the coming months. For updates see the brand new Norwich heritage web site: www.norwich12.co.uk.

Katie Brinkley is the 24 Hour Museum/Norwich HEART Student Writer in Norwich. Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) is the groundbreaking initiative to regenerate, manage and promote one of the most remarkable heritage resources in the UK and in Europe.