Now shops need to catch up with the banks

Commenting on Barclays issuing contactless debit cards, Peter Harrison, cards expert at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "The main thing holding back contactless payments at the moment is the lack of retailers that have the necessary card readers.

"If and when the bulk of shops have these, we might then see people weighed down with fewer coins.

"Being able to wave a card to make payments of less than £10 is a great time-saver - and Barclays' move to issue contactless debit cards should encourage more shops to install the card readers."

Peter Harrison's top tip: "Like all cards it is important to report them missing if they do go astray. As long as you do that you are then protected from any subsequent fraudulent activity."