Pret A Manger is rolling out contactless payment to 171 stores, after an initial trail at seven sites proved a success.

A phased roll-out will take place over the next six months working with Barclaycard and Commidea, and the contactless system will be integrated with the company’s existing Chip & PIN terminals.

Pret A Manger Director of Food and Communications Simon Hargraves said: “At Pret, we pride ourselves on amazing food, passionate people and incredible customer service.

"Speed is incredibly important to us and by working with Barclaycard and Commidea we’re able to install an efficient contactless system to give our customers a quicker method of payment and an improved customer experience. The new system has been received well so far and we have committed to rolling out contactless across our entire network.”

Barclaycard says that more than one million contactless cards have now been issued, and all new Barclaycard Platinum cards now include contactless technology.

In addition, Barclaycard is running a high profile advertising campaign featuring a 1976 track by the Bellamy Brothers that has since climbed into the UK single charts.