V-variable fractals: Fractals with partial self similarity

We establish properties of a new type of fractal which has partial self similarity at all scales. For any collection of iterated functions systems with an associated probability distribution and any positive integer V there is a corresponding class of V-variable fractal sets or measures. These V-variable fractals can also be obtained from the points on the attractor of a single deterministic iterated function system. Existence, uniqueness and approximation results are established under average contractive assumptions. We also obtain extensions of some basic results concerning iterated function systems.