The service will be available on week days

Viewers with digital cable, Freeview and digital satellite will be able to access extra footage, interviews and background information.

Sky News and the BBC have both offered interactivity as part of continuous news services since 2001 and 2000.

The BBC's 10 O'Clock News Extra service will be available from 22.00GMT to 22.45GMT between Monday and Friday.

By pressing the red button on their handsets, viewers will be able to read profiles of names in the news and graphics.

This week's content includes a guide to key battleground states in the US elections and features on the main policy differences between the Republicans and the Democrats.

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"The service will provide extra choice for viewers and will help drive a new audience towards our interactive services," said Richard Deverell, head of BBC News Interactive.

10 O'Clock News Editor Kevin Bakhurst said: "We are always looking for ways to provide added depth and context to the top news stories and this is the perfect way to do it."

BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas said users must be clear about the use of the red button.

"One of the problems with the red button is that people have tried it and not always been impressed - people must know it doesn't take away from the main bulletin and that they don't have to pay, as some people have thought in the past."

Future topics on the service might include the Iraq conflict, with maps showing key areas.

More information on up to three of the programme's bulletins will always be available.

ITV was currently unavailable for comment and Sky News declined to comment on the service.