Last week, the Telegraph Media Group set up its own in-house technology lab dedicated to develop creative editorial projects.

Aashish Chandarana, former innovations and production executive for BBC Sport, was hired to head the lab. Three developers and editorial staff were also hired for the first project, which will explore how to integrate user-generated content on the Telegraph website, including work on voting and commenting applications.

The cost of the lab was, according to Telegraph digital editor Ed Roussel, minimal.

"We needed a system to develop products that combine editorial and IT in an environment where they can develop and test them, and the lab creates an experimental environment that we have lacked until now," Roussel added.

"It will be used for big projects that are separate from breaking news, but allow us to use technology to better showcase our content."

The lab will use a new interface similar to the developer platforms launched by Facebook and Bebo. External suppliers will be able to access the interface remotely when working on new Telegraph products. The lab should also help to attract skilled technical staffers to the Telegraph by providing a friendly work environment.

By next year, 10 people are expected to be working for the lab.

Source: Guardian