A WEB-BASED company that makes personalised newspapers for gifts has opened its first shop in London and has plans to have franchise stores in every large city in the UK.

UR In The Paper was launched two years ago by Rebecca Philipson, of Crook, County Durham, and gives people the chance to appear on the front page of a mock newspaper.

In its first six months of trading, the company turned over on average £10,000 a month, but the figure has grown at a huge rate this year to about £85,000 a month.

Ms Philipson expects to see the business more than quadruple in size over the coming years as it looks to gain a foothold in major cities nationwide.

Last week, UR In The Paper opened a small shop, in London, next to Madame Tussaud's museum.

Ms Philipson said: "With internet sales continuing to grow, I felt that it was time to put the personalised newspaper on to the shelves. When the opportunity came up for such a terrific location in London I knew I had to go for it."

She is hoping to catch the tourist trade this summer and is offering exclusive "London Souvenir Newspapers" to appeal to those visiting the capital.

"Preliminary sales have been promising with huge interest from tourists from all over the world. Because the newspaper really is ready in minutes, it's just like buying any other souvenir," she said.

The 23-year-old wants to expand UR In The Paper across the UK over the next 18 months by opening a number of franchise stores.

The firm, which employs ten staff, recently secured deals to sell its newspapers online through leading supermarket Tesco and WH Smith.