Council leader Councillor Jim Fletcher explained: "The magazine is our way of making sure that our residents are fully informed about our local services.

"This e-magazine takes it to a new level. As well as being a faster way of getting information out to residents it gives us a chance to be much more interactive. We're able to put in direct links to websites for more information or links to e-mails so that we can get instant feedback.

"We're still printing some copes of the magazine and making them available in our local libraries, offices and community centres to make sure that our residents who want to get a printed copy still can."

The e-magazine has been produced for East Renfrewshire Council by Busby-based Intelligent Brochures.

Charles Kelly who runs the company said: ""We provide an exact replica of the physical brochure or publication and deliver it on screen. It is very user friendly and interactive so it keeps people's attention and the added bonus is that e-publishing is paper free and therefore very eco-friendly."

We provide an exact replica of the physical brochure or publication and deliver it on screen. It is active and also interactive to keep people's attention and make it more visually exciting.

"Apart from allowing the reader to turn the pages on screen or zoom into photographs or text you can also add sound, video or animation. You can also search a document by key word or phrase and each reference appears on screen," added Charles.

The direct link to the e-magazine is www.intelligentbrochures.com/er_apr08 or you can visit through the council website to see all back copies of er magazine as well as the current e-edition at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/er

The council will print 7,000 copies of the magazine and the e-magazine is available on the front page of the council website and a link will be e-mailed to any resident who wants it by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it