Gadget-loving gentlemen may be interested to discover that Google has launched its Street View application for the UK.

It allows users to see much of Britain from a road's-eye view and is a new addition to the Google Map service.

The pictures were captured using a number of specially modified vehicles which took 360 degree images over more than 22,000 miles.

People will now be able to see streets in 25 of the UK's cities, including Southampton, Aberdeen and London, from computers or internet-enabled mobile phones.

While the program was controversial when it first launched in the US, Google tells the Guardian that the privacy concerns are unfounded.

Ed Parsons, a geospatial technologist with the firm, says: "This is the sort of level of detail you would get from driving down a road, the sort of picture you would see in an estate agent's window."

It automatically blurs people's faces and license plates, plus users who are concerned with an image are able to report this to the company.

Gentlemen looking for something stylish to access this new service on could be interested to discover that the Independent is reporting on a growing trend towards wooden computers.

It says that available items include bamboo mouses, as well as laptops finished with this material.