Tesco has become the latest in a long line of retailers to stop accepting cheques at tills.

The blanket ban, which starts on February 25, follows similar decisions by UK supermarket groups including Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Marks & Spencer also revealed yesterday that it will axe cheques in March.

Tesco said Chip and PIN cards mean quicker service and more security. It said: “Some people, especially the elderly, are worried. This is why we have given customers plenty of notice.”