I have removed the wallpaper used by the last occupant and at sometime in the past there has been a very heavily embossed wallpaper put on directly over the paint that is used as the first coat on the plaster.  It has left a network of paint and bare plaster in the image of the old paper.  

Is there a paint product that is available to fill/hide this pattern in paint or will I have to re paper the walls?  I would prefer to paint as it gives me more flexibility to redecorate in the future.

Thanks
Paul

I assume you mean that the paper you took off has brought the paint off the wall, so where the pattern was you have an indentation.

Hard to say without actually seeing it but all I can suggest is filling it and lining it with a thick lining paper, possibly 2000 grade.

Once you have painted over that a couple of times you will have a good base to decorate on in the future.

Filling it will be a pain but as they say, 'no pain, no gain.'
Don't forget to size the walls before hanging the paper.